Their new child is a tiny thing – a small, red newborn with a scream that could rival a chainsaw in pitch and the barest smattering of black hair. He’s beautiful, because of course he is – but now he’s here, Jongdae and Yixing are beginning to wonder just what they got themselves into.

With Shang, the decision had been made by Kyungmi to keep him – they were becoming fathers whether they liked it or not. But with this new baby – the baby who is currently resting in Yixing’s arms with curious eyes and waving arms – was deliberate. They made the active choice to find a surrogate, to extend their family and give Shang a sibling because Kyungmi couldn’t.

“Are you sure we’re ready for this?” Yixing mutters, wide eyes rivalling that of the baby’s. “I mean, are we actually capable of taking care of another child – “

Jongdae stops making faces at the baby for a one moment to give him a flat stare. “We managed with Shang alright, didn’t we? And everyone appears to think he’s normal, so I’m sure we’ll do…well, not great, but I doubt we’ll end up killing him or something.” He may share Yixing’s fears, but Jongdae is pragmatic; they got themselves into this mess, there’s no getting out of it. Best to simply just follow the love. “Are you saying you don’t like him? Because it’s not like we can just hand him back and be all, ‘oh he didn’t fit can we have another one?’”

He lets the baby curl a tiny hand around one of his fingers, smiling when the baby – they still don’t have a name – attempts to focus his wavering gaze on him. Paternal pride and tenderness are no longer new to him, but the depth of feelings he has for this baby already still amaze him. “I like him. I don’t want to give him back.” He says, narrowing his eyes at Yixing.

The older man splutters. “Of course I don’t want to give him back!” His arms tighten around the baby possessively, pulling him even closer – if that’s possible. Jongdae’s finger falls from the baby’s grasping hand, and he finds himself disappointed by the lack of contact with his own son. Why is Yixing such a baby hog? “I’m just worried about raising two kids when we’re still not adults ourselves!”

Jongdae can’t exactly pretend they’re grown up, but they are in their mid-thirties. You’d think they’d have learnt how to fool the world by now. “All we have to do is love him and try not to him up too much.”

Gently, he takes the baby from Yixing, who awkwardly holds his arms out until the baby is secure, the back of his downy head. The baby mewls, disconcerted by this change in positions; Jongdae bounces him softly to try and placate him. “Everything’s going to be just fine.” He assures Yixing, his familiar cat-like grin on his face.

Yixing can’t help but grin back at his partner in crime. Pressing a kiss to the corner of Jongdae’s lips, he cradles the baby’s head with one hand. “Who’d have ever thought you’d be the voice of parental reason?”

***

Yixing is checking over the baby bag as Jongdae chatters at the baby, babbling inanely about their new house in Hackney and the crib that they put up by themselves (with much swearing and loss of screws – Yixing’s not entirely sure that it’s completely stable). They have everything they could conceivably need to get home safely – that is, if he hadn’t forgotten the ing car seat.

They’re waiting for Kyungmi to drop by with it – but he’s pretty sure she’s currently raiding the baby departments of every store known to man, so it’s not like they’re in a particular hurry. “Babe, have you thought of a name yet?” He asks carefully, slinging the messenger bag over his shoulder.

Jongdae nods excitedly from his seat, baby drooling into his dark blue shirt. “I want to call him – dramatic drum roll please – “ Yixing duly taps a rhythm out on the metal seat next to him. “Jongdae II. He looks like another Jongdae, right?”

For a second, Yixing can’t do anything but stare incredulously at his partner. “You are not naming our child Jongdae II.” He says firmly, refusing to even contemplate the idea.

“What? How is that fair!” Jongdae whisper-cries, mindful of the sleepy baby clinging to his shirt. “You named our son after a goddamn Disney character – from a film with a sentient ing cricket in it, in case you forgot – how is this any worse?!”

“At least it’s more inventive than naming him after myself!”

“You said that, seeing as you named Shang, I could name this baby whatever I wanted.” Jongdae supports the baby’s bottom with one hand, using the other to point accusingly at Yixing as their newborn son slobbers into his shoulder.

“Yeah, but I didn’t think you’d pick something as stupid as your own name. What are we supposed to call him, junior?” Yixing retaliates, fearful for his second child’s sense of identity. Junior is a horrible name.

“My name is not stupid,” Jongdae growls, before huffing angrily and turning away from Yixing’s judgemental glare.

There’s a beat of silence in which they both refuse to look at each other, only the baby’s constantly waving hands interrupting the tension. Jongdae coos down at him for a second, before turning back to Yixing with a sulky look on his face.

“Can I at least keep the Jong bit?” He asks grumpily, cogs whirring in his brain as he tries to think of a name Yixing won’t reject out of hand.

Yixing presses his lips together, arms folded defensively. “Fine. As long as it doesn’t end in dae.”

They fall back into silence again, Jongdae rocking the baby absentmindedly as he tries to come up with a good name that begins with Jong. He knows there are billions of other names that would suit – he doesn’t have to be cocky and have something similar to his own name – but he’s a stubborn bastard, and now the challenge has been extended, he’s not going to back down.

Yixing knows he’s got something when his face lights up. Jongdae’s never been particularly hard to read. “I know!” He smirks, holding the baby up for Yixing’s inspection. “Meet Jongseok.” He says triumphantly.

. That’s actually quite a good name. Yixing sighs. “Alright. Jongseok it is.”

No, I'm not even ashamed of naming their son after Shang in Mulan. I love that man.