“The turn is right here," Yeosang directed, pointing at the oncoming street sign, "And be careful, there's a pothole right as you turn in that they never fixed. Rocks the car from side to side," he warned, patting Hongjoong's thigh companionably. Yeosang's eyes were locked ahead of them, larger smile building on top of the smile he'd already had the entire hour-long car ride they had taken to get here, “And I got a text from Mom and Dad. They said to park in the driveway and they’ll be outside to greet us when we get there.” 

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen them,” Hongjoong stated as though Yeosang didn’t already know that, "It will be that much more worth it to stay with them for a week and spend time with them.” 

"Definitely. I've missed them so much," Yeosang hummed, feet starting to bounce in anticipation. It had been a good two months since they last saw Yeosang’s mother and father, and that was over a video call to tell them that Yeosang was pregnant with their second grandchild. Yeosang’s older sister already had the first one, a little boy named Minkyung who was about eighteen months old now and was just about the cutest kid Yeosang had ever had the pleasure of meeting. His parents had been so excited about the baby but so sad to end the call, and so sad that they hadn't been able to be told in person. It had been so long since they had seen their son and soon to be son in law. With Yeosang's upcoming birthday in June, his parents had taken the initiative to invite him and Hongjoong to spend a week at their family beach house along the east coast in Pohang. A short, birthday getaway before all they had to think about was the baby. 

This would be their last vacation before they welcomed their miniature human into the world and Yeosang had been the biggest influence on Hongjoong’s final decision to go. The older had been concerned about missing work but it all fell into alignment after he found he had enough vacation days saved up to leave for a week just for Yeosang and it wouldn't affect his paternity leave time. His fiancé needed a break away from the house and the mundane workday, some time to himself and with his mother and father who he missed dearly. Yeosang was helping a lot to provide for their small family and was doing a lot of work growing this baby, and he still had a good four months left of this pregnancy. He deserved this break, especially since it was on the beach and in a beautiful beach house. 

That pothole Yeosang warned Hongjoong about had been pretty intense but after weathering that storm, the view of the house and the yard attached that lead to the back where there was a beautiful beach had nearly shocked Hongjoong. He had never seen the house before and had always heard good things about it, childhood stories and summers spent there. Now seeing it in front of him, there had been no lie about how beautiful it was. Spending a week with his almost parent in-laws and his pregnant fiancé was going to be so much fun and he couldn't believe he had almost not gone on this trip. Yeosang was a real blessing in his life. 

"There they are!" Yeosang exclaimed, finger extended as he directed Hongjoong's vision to where his parents were sitting on the porch swing in front of the house. They were wrapped up in each other's embrace, their own arms extended as they waved at the oncoming car, getting up from their seats so they could great them when they were parked close enough to the house. Yeosang was even more excited if that was possible, and Hongjoong was afraid the younger was going to hop out of the car so he could run over and greet them sooner. He sped up just the tiniest bit to prevent that from happening, making sure the car doors were locked. 

Once in the driveway and stopped, Hongjoong hadn't even parked the car before Yeosang was unbuckling himself and hopping out of the car in excitement, clumsily heading towards his mother and father. Hongjoong momentarily wondered if Yeosang was in his right mind, but he figured that he would do the same with his mother and father if he hadn't seen them in a very long time. Luckily, he lived very close and was within reach any time of the day, and he saw his mother just about every other day now that Yeosang was pregnant. They didn't have any grandchildren yet, and to learn that Yeosang was having their first was wondrous. Hongjoong's mother was doing everything she could for her son in law, making sure he had everything he would ever need. 

It was kind and always appreciated, but Yeosang wanted his own mother to do those kinds of things for him. Yeosang is a mama's boy through and through and to not have his mother there by his side for one of the most difficult times of his life was disheartening. He was incredibly grateful for everything his almost mother in law had done for him, but sometimes he needed his real mother there for him. That's why he wanted to go to Pohang so badly. To see his mother and father and to spend time with them some more before he really wouldn't have the time to see them. This was going to be the perfect week. Yeosang was going to spend time with his parents and was going to enjoy himself. 

"Mom! Dad!" Yeosang exclaimed with the biggest smile on his face, running towards his parents with open arms, a little clumsy since he was still getting used to his rounder body. His mother and father picked up speed from their previous saunter, ready to hug the son they haven't seen in months. It was when Hongjoong had removed himself from the car that they finally met and nearly collided together in a group hug. Laughs and happy sonances ensued and Hongjoong smiled watching his favorite person so happy, reunited with his parents after what felt like an eternity.

"Oh, Yeosangie. It's been too long," his mother cooed, holding her son close to her body while also sharing him with her husband, "I'm so glad you could make it out. We've missed you so much," Yeosang's mother withdrew from the hug and took her son's face in her hands, placing kisses on both of his cheeks several times before pulling him back into a hug again. Yeosang gripped her close, not wanting to let go for a very long time, "You're so warm, are you feeling okay?" she asked next as she pulled away to check Yeosang's temperature, having registered the heat of her son's body. It wasn't something pleasant to endure when you were pregnant. 

"Mom, it's summer, it tends to be a little warm," Yeosang rectified before his mom could start to get paranoid about whatever illness came with a fever and raised temperature, a delicate giggle ringing through. Yeosang tended to run hot anyway and summer was not helping. He would be pregnant through all of summer and it was something he was not looking forward to, but he could put up with it for their baby. 

"I guess you're right. I'll make sure to get you something cold once we're inside. Luckily I bought some ice cream and it's in the freezer," that motherly smile and the glint in her eyes was all too telling. She loved her son. 

Too enthralled with Yeosang, it was up to her husband to greet Hongjoong first who was waiting patiently by the car. He had been watching with a smile, elated that his fiancé was so happy, but he deserved an enthusiastic greeting as well. Yeosang's parents already considered Hongjoong their son and they were just as excited about his presence as they were Yeosang's. They just had to go through Yeosang first before getting to Hongjoong. 

"Hello, Hongjoong," Yeosang's father greeted and while it was friendly and in good character, Hongjoong couldn't help but feel intimidated by his almost father in law's stature and demeanor. He was a scary man and what was even more intimidating was that he was blunt and to the point. He was rarely someone to beat around the bush or prolong something that didn't need it. When Hongjoong had met him for the first time, six months after they first started dating, he remembered how the man had warned that he better take care of Yeosang like he deserves or they would really have a problem. But that was three years ago and here they were now, engaged and expecting their first child together. Hongjoong just hoped he was living up to his fiancé's father's expectations and worth Yeosang's time, "It's nice to see you," he added before pulling him into a hug, firm and warm. Even though browbeating and slightly terrifying, he did give great hugs. 

"It's nice to see you, too. We should have made the trip down sooner," Hongjoong admitted, pulling away to shove his hands back into his jacket pockets. They were both busy with their jobs, Hongjoong very involved with producing and composing music for other artists. It was hard to make the trip when he had so many other commitments, including Yeosang's job as an IT support technician. He was a senior in his division and played a very important role in the office. It was hard to find time to take extended trips without worrying about losing money. 

"You should have," Yeosang's father dropped and it made Hongjoong unconsciously gulp, throat dry from the nerves of speaking with his soon to be father in law, "But we're happy to have you here now," he added with a handsome smile, clapping his hand on Hongjoong's shoulder warmly, "She's been talking about this week for a long time. She would do anything for our boy," he nodded his head in the direction of his wife and son and Hongjoong followed, chuckle leaving his chest.

Yeosang's mother was all over him and he was definitely enjoying it. Listening now, Hongjoong could hear how she was asking how he and the baby were doing, if he was eating enough and getting enough rest. Yeosang was assuring her that yes, he was taking care of himself and was doing very well with light laughter. Looking at them now, Yeosang's mother had a hand on her son's baby bump and the other hand holding his face and from where Hongjoong was standing, he could finalize that she was tracing the shape of Yeosang's birthmark along his left eye and temple. She really missed Yeosang and the guilt that ate at Hongjoong's stomach was surprisingly strong. He felt as though he shouldn't have kept Yeosang away for so long. 

"Try not to stay away so long next time," Yeosang's father smirked as though reading his mind, guiding Hongjoong away from the car so he could greet Yeosang's mother with a hug, "I think it's time you properly say hello before she talks Yeosang's ear off." 

Yeosang's mother was quick to greet Hongjoong once he was in her line of sight again, almost like she forgot he was there. She was a forgetful woman, that was no secret, and she had every good intention even if it did take her a moment to remember that there was another person to say hello to. Hongjoong didn't take it personally and was quick to forgive her when she apologized for not hugging him sooner. She was sweet and made sure to kiss both of his cheeks as an apology and it was nice to be greeted as such. His mother did the same to him whenever he visited, and to have Yeosang's mother greet him like his own mother felt like he was part of the family already. 

"Thank you so much for coming all the way out here. We've missed you boys so much," Yeosang's mother smiled with crinkled eyes, an added sparkle of delight for effect. Yeosang got his smile from her. Hongjoong couldn't help but notice as well that she was addressing him more than Yeosang since he was the deciding factor in their travel here. He had prolonged this far too long, long enough for them to be frustrated with him, and yet they were so patient and happy he was there, "This week is going to be a lot of fun, I promise." 

Hongjoong did not doubt that. Yeosang was a lot like his mother and Yeosang was the life of the party in everything he ever attended. He made every day fun and Hongjoong could attest to that. He lived with him and had spent nearly four years of his life spending nearly every day with him, "I'm sure it will be. I'm very excited to spend time with my family," Yeosang's mother preened in joy at hearing Hongjoong say 'my family'. It had never been outwardly said before between them, but Hongjoong knew he was already considered family. 

“Let's go inside and get you guys settled," Yeosang's father guided as he turned to Hongjoong with a warm smile, "I'll help take your bags to the house." 

There wasn't much to carry to the house. Between the two of them, they only had one shared suitcase that Hongjoong could manage by himself. But Yeosang did have an extra backpack that had things inside that they would need in any immediate situation while driving, and while Yeosang had moved to grab it from the front seat by himself, his mother led him back towards the house and it was his father who retrieved it. Yeosang's mother dragged him inside and Yeosang didn't fight it, following her blindly and happily, enjoying being with his mother already and enjoying her touch on his back and arm. He missed his mother so much. 

The rest of the day had been pretty uneventful. Yeosang's back hurt from sitting upright in the passenger seat for so long, something he often complained about, so they chose to relax and lay around the house. That was after he helped Hongjoong unpack of course, hanging what needed to be hung and placing folded clothes in drawers. After the fact, the two leaving their room into the main sitting room, Hongjoong didn't get another second with Yeosang before he was being pulled away by both his mother and father. Yeosang was sat on a plush couch and sat there the entirety of the afternoon and evening, only moving when he had to go pee, which was about every half hour. The baby was sitting low in his pelvis and it made it hard to go long without a bathroom break, leaving him waddling to the guest bathroom every so often to relieve himself. 

The four of them sat in the living room for the entire evening otherwise, talking and eating snacks that Yeosang's mother had brought to the house. Their dinner had been high-grade galbi, samgyeopsal, and roasted sweet potato that Yeosang's father cooked over a grill outside, expertise creating a very tasty meal for all of them to enjoy. It had been very relaxing and comfortable, most of their conversation being pointed towards their upcoming wedding and the baby. But mostly the baby. Th