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4linos · 9 days ago

Text

fractured silence.

yang jeongin x idol!reader

synopsis: when your pregnancy complicates your secret relationship, the emotional distance between you and your boyfriend grows, leaving you unsure of where you stand and what the future holds.

warnings: pregnancy, angst, hurt/comfort, miscommunication.

wc: 5807

[fractured silence part 2]

The fluorescent lights above buzzed softly, casting a cold glow over the pristine bathroom tiles. Your hands trembled as they gripped the edges of the sink, the single test staring back at you with undeniable certainty. Two lines. A result that changed everything. A result that confirmed your deepest fear.

Your breath hitched, chest tightening as an overwhelming wave of emotions crashed over you fear, confusion, love, guilt. You covered your mouth with both hands, as if you could muffle the sobs that were threatening to break free. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not now. Not like this.

You had worked too hard, sacrificed too much to get where you were. You were an idol, a member of a four-member girl group under HYBE, standing at the peak of your career. Every step had been meticulously planned, every move watched, scrutinized, dissected by the public and the company. And now? Now you were pregnant.

The reality of it made your knees weak, and you sank to the cool tiled floor, arms wrapping around yourself in a feeble attempt to hold it all together. You weren’t just scared, you were terrified. Of what this meant for you, for your career, for your group. But more than anything, you were terrified of telling him.

Jeongin.

You had met him years ago casually, in passing, during award shows and music broadcasts. Back then, it was just polite greetings, stolen smiles, the occasional lingering glance that neither of you had acknowledged. But two years ago, everything changed.

A late-night conversation in a quiet corner of a backstage hallway turned into something more. A fleeting moment of vulnerability became the catalyst for a secret whirlwind romance, one that had started as a casual fling but had quickly spiraled into something deeper, something real.

At first, you had kept it hidden from everyone your members, his members, your companies. But secrecy had its limits. Eventually, the truth slipped out, first to your respective groups, then to your companies. You had braced yourself for backlash, for strict ultimatums, but instead, you had been met with quiet acceptance. They allowed you to be together under one condition: the world could never know.

And you had been okay with that. Because you loved him. Because he loved you. Because even in the shadows, your love had been enough.

But this? This was something no amount of secrecy could contain.

A soft knock on the bathroom door made you flinch, but you were too frozen in your panic to respond.

“Hey, are you okay?”

It was Jinae, your leader’s voice soft, concerned. Another knock followed, firmer this time. “We saw you come in here a while ago. You’ve been quiet ever since.”

You swallowed hard, trying to force the sobs back down your throat, but it was useless. The moment you tried to answer, your voice cracked, and that was all it took.

The door creaked open, and in an instant, they were there. Your members. Your sisters.

Their eyes widened at the sight of you on the floor, cheeks streaked with silent tears, shoulders trembling. No words were needed, they rushed to your side, arms wrapping around you in a protective cocoon, grounding you in the way only they could.

“What happened?” Minsu whispered, her hand rubbing soothing circles on your back.

You squeezed your eyes shut, clutching onto the fabric of their hoodies like a lifeline. And then, in a voice so fragile it barely felt like your own, you confessed the truth.

“I’m pregnant.”

Silence. A moment of pure, stunned silence.

And then soft shushing, gentle hands holding yours, arms tightening around you in silent reassurance.

You had expected judgment, disappointment, fear. Instead, all you got was warmth.

“We’re here,” Jinae murmured against your hair. “No matter what, we’re here.”

Tears spilled freely now, but they weren’t just from fear. They were from relief.

But even with their comfort, one thought still lingered at the forefront of your mind, a gnawing dread you couldn’t shake.

You had to tell Jeongin.

And you didn’t know if you were ready to face what came next.

Jinae, Minsu, and Chae were all huddled around you, their warmth the only thing keeping you from completely unraveling. Your breath hitched between sobs as you clung to them, your words tumbling out between gasps of air.

“I—I don’t know how to tell Jeongin,” you choked out, your fingers digging into Minsu’s sleeve. “I don’t even know how the company will react, or the fans, God, the fans. What if..what if they hate me? What if this ruins everything?”

Your voice cracked on the last word, the weight of your fears suffocating. This wasn’t just about you anymore. It was about Jeongin, your career, his career. It was about the life growing inside you.

Jinae, ever the leader, was the first to respond. She cupped your cheeks, tilting your face up so you had no choice but to look at her. Her expression was firm, unwavering. “Listen to me,” she said, her voice low but fierce. “You are not alone in this.”

Chae tightened her arms around your shoulders, resting her chin on your head. “She’s right. We’ll fight for you.”

Minsu squeezed your hand, her touch gentle yet steady. “No matter what happens, we’re here. We’ll stand by you, we’ll stand with you.”

Their words, their certainty, it should have eased you, but your heart still clenched painfully. You let out a shaky breath, shaking your head. “But what if Jeongin—” You hesitated, your worst fear clawing at your throat. “What if he doesn’t want this?”

The thought made your stomach twist. You loved him. He loved you. But this? A baby? It was something neither of you had planned. Something that could change everything.

Jinae didn’t hesitate. “Then we’ll handle it. We’ll figure it out. But you need to talk to him first.”

Chae nodded against you. “And we’ll be right here, no matter what happens.”

You let their words sink in, let yourself believe in them. Because despite everything the uncertainty, the fear you knew one thing for sure.

You weren’t alone. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough to give you the strength to face what came next.

Jinae’s hands remained firm on your shoulders, her thumbs brushing away stray tears as she met your swollen eyes with quiet determination. Her presence was grounding, just like it always had been. She was your leader, yes, but she was also your closest friend, someone who had seen you at your highest and now, at your most vulnerable.

She hesitated for a second before asking, “Do you want us to be there when you tell him?”

The question sent another wave of emotions crashing through you. The idea of having them with you, of not having to face this moment alone, was tempting. More than tempting. But this wasn’t something Jeongin needed to hear from a group. It was something he needed to hear from you.

Before you could answer, Minsu let out a dramatic sigh, folding her arms over her chest. “Just say the word, and we’ll be there for backup,” she said, puffing up her chest like a soldier preparing for battle. “And if he says the wrong thing—” She cracked her knuckles in exaggerated slow motion. “He’s gonna have to deal with us.”

You let out a choked laugh, half a giggle and half a sob, burying your face in your hands. “Minsu,” you sniffled, voice muffled, “you’re not going to fight my boyfriend.”

“No promises,” she muttered, crossing her arms.

Chae, who had been silent, reached up and wiped at your tears with the oversized sleeve of her hoodie, her touch delicate as if she were handling glass. “She’s just saying we’ve got your back,” she murmured. “No matter what.”

Your heart clenched painfully. How had you gotten so lucky to have them? These girls, your groupmates, your family were the only reason you weren’t completely falling apart right now.

You took a deep breath, trying to steady your voice. “I need to do this alone. At least for now.”

Jinae studied you for a moment, making sure you weren’t just saying that out of fear. Then, with a small nod, she squeezed your hand. “Okay. But if you change your mind—”

“We’re just one call away,” Chae finished.

Minsu placed a hand over her heart dramatically. “Or, you know, one emergency text away from storming in like we own the place.”

You smiled, really smiled, even if it was small and shaky. “I know.”

For the first time since you saw those two lines on the test, you felt like maybe, just maybe, you weren’t as lost as you thought.

Now, all that was left was to face Jeongin. And that was the part that scared you the most.

The drive to Jeongin’s place was quiet, save for the occasional hum of the car engine and the soft clicking of Minsu’s nails against the steering wheel. She didn’t press you for conversation, didn’t demand answers you weren’t ready to give. Instead, she simply offered her presence, her silent support, exactly what you needed.

As she pulled up in front of his apartment complex, she shifted the car into park and turned to face you. “You sure you don’t want me to come up?” she asked, her tone casual, but the concern in her eyes betrayed her.

You exhaled shakily, fingers twisting in your lap. “I’m sure.”

Minsu didn’t argue. Instead, she reached over and squeezed your hand, tight and reassuring. “Alright,” she said. “But if you need anything, anything just call me, okay?”

You nodded, your throat too tight to form words.

She watched you for a moment longer before sighing and ruffling your hair playfully. “You got this.”

Swallowing the lump in your throat, you gave her a small, grateful smile before stepping out of the car.

As soon as the door shut behind you, your nerves skyrocketed. Your feet felt like lead as you made your way through the familiar hallways of Jeongin’s building, your heartbeat loud in your ears. You hadn’t even told him you were coming. You had no idea how he’d react.

Would he be excited? Confused? Would he… be upset?

The thought made your stomach twist painfully.

Before you could psych yourself out any further, you found yourself in front of his door. Your hands were trembling as you raised your fist and knocked.

A few seconds passed before you heard footsteps approaching. Then, the door swung open, revealing Jeongin in a loose hoodie and sweatpants, his hair slightly messy as if he’d just been lounging around.

His brows furrowed in surprise. “Hey, what are you doing here?” he asked, but before you could answer, he was already pulling you inside, pressing a sloppy kiss to your forehead, and wrapping his arms around you in a tight, familiar embrace.

The warmth of him, the scent of his shampoo, the way he immediately melted into you, it almost made you forget, just for a second.

Almost.

When he pulled away, his smile faltered. His gaze dropped to your face, taking in the red puffiness around your eyes, the lingering dampness on your cheeks. His hands came up to cradle your face gently, his thumbs brushing against your skin with concern.

His brows knit together. “Hey… what’s wrong?”

You opened your mouth, but no words came out.

“Did something happen?” His grip on you tightened slightly, his worry only growing. “Did the company say something to you?”

You shook your head, still unable to speak.

Jeongin exhaled sharply, his mind racing. “Did you go reading those stupid comments again? You know you’re not supposed to do that—”

His voice was a mix of frustration and worry, not at you, but at the world that always seemed to weigh too heavily on your shoulders. Because that was who he was. He always worried for you, always looked out for you in ways you never had to ask for. That was what you loved about him.

And that was what made this so much harder.

Because now, you had to tell him something that would change everything.

The dam you had been desperately trying to hold together finally shattered. The sobs came suddenly, violently, your shoulders shaking as the overwhelming fear and uncertainty you had been bottling up for days erupted all at once.

Jeongin’s eyes widened, his hands squeezing your arms in alarm. “Hey, hey—” His voice was urgent, frantic, yet unbearably gentle. “What happened? Please, talk to me.”

You tried to speak, but the words caught in your throat, lost between ragged breaths and the crushing weight of your emotions. You felt like you were drowning.

Then, with a broken gasp, you forced the words out, barely above a whisper.

“I’m pregnant.”

The room fell silent.

You could feel Jeongin freeze, his entire body going rigid, his breath hitching. His hands, which had been holding you, suddenly stilled.

For a long, agonizing moment, he didn’t move. Didn’t say anything.

And that silence was enough to make your heart drop into your stomach.

Panicked, you quickly looked up at him, your eyes wild with unshed tears. “I’m sorry,” you choked out. “I—I didn’t mean for this to happen. I didn’t know how to tell you, I was scared—”

Jeongin’s head snapped up, his brows knitting together. “Why are you apologizing?” His voice was soft but firm, like he couldn’t understand why those words were even leaving your mouth.

You swallowed hard, tears still spilling down your cheeks. “Because..because your career is on the line. Mine too. If this gets out, if the company—” Your voice broke. “I don’t want you to lose everything because of me.”

Jeongin inhaled sharply, his jaw tightening.

Then, before you could spiral any further, he cupped your face in his hands, his thumbs wiping away your tears with slow, careful strokes. His eyes, which had been filled with shock just moments ago, were now filled with something else entirely, something fierce, something unwavering.

“None of that matters,” he said, his voice steady, unshaken. “Not my career, not the company, not the fans, none of that matters more than you.”

Your breath hitched.

“We’re in this together,” he continued, his grip tightening ever so slightly as if to make sure you felt every word. “I don’t care what happens next, I don’t care how hard it gets. I love you. And I love our baby. Nothing, nothing is going to change that.”

A fresh wave of tears welled up in your eyes, but this time, they weren’t just from fear.

They were from relief.

Before you could even process it, Jeongin pulled you into a tight, almost desperate embrace, his arms wrapping around you like he was trying to shield you from the world. His lips pressed against the side of your head as he whispered against your hair.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he murmured. “I’ll stay by your side. I’ll take care of you. Of both of you.”

You clung to him, burying your face into his chest as you sobbed, your fingers fisting the fabric of his hoodie like you never wanted to let go.

For the first time since you saw those two lines on the test, the fear didn’t feel so suffocating.

Because you weren’t facing this alone.

Jeongin held you for what felt like forever, his grip never loosening, his heartbeat steady beneath your ear. He didn’t let go, not even when your sobs quieted into soft sniffles, not even when the weight of your exhaustion settled into your bones. He just kept whispering reassurances, grounding you, reminding you over and over again that he was here, that he wasn’t going anywhere.

When he finally pulled back just enough to look at you, his hands stayed firm on your waist, as if he was afraid you’d disappear if he let go completely. His gaze softened as he took in your tear-streaked face, his thumb brushing against your cheek once more.

“You’re exhausted,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “Have you eaten today?”

You hesitated, suddenly realizing you couldn’t remember the last time you had. The past few days had been a blur of anxiety, and the thought of food had barely crossed your mind.

Jeongin sighed, already knowing the answer just by the look on your face. “Alright,” he said, taking your hand in his. “Come on. You need to eat something.”

You blinked up at him. “Jeongin, I—”

“No arguments,” he cut in, his voice firm but gentle. “You’re not taking care of just yourself anymore, okay? And if you won’t do it for you, then at least do it for them.” He squeezed your hand before placing it over your stomach, his eyes flickering downward for the first time.

Your breath hitched.

It was the first time either of you had truly acknowledged it, the life growing inside of you.

Jeongin swallowed, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, slowly, his fingers brushed over your hand, over the space where, one day soon, there would be a noticeable bump. His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but the words never came.

Instead, he just let out a breathy chuckle, shaking his head. “I still can’t believe it,” he admitted, his voice tinged with wonder. “We’re having a baby.”

The way he said it, with so much tenderness, so much awe, made your chest tighten.

You nodded, biting your lip as you looked up at him. “Yeah,” you whispered. “We are.”

Jeongin smiled then, soft and real, before leaning down to press a lingering kiss against your forehead. “I’m gonna take care of you,” he murmured. “Both of you.”

Tears welled up in your eyes again, but this time, they weren’t from fear.

Jeongin pulled back, his usual playfulness creeping back into his expression. “But first, you’re eating.”

You let out a small laugh, sniffling as you wiped at your eyes. “Okay, okay.”

He grinned, pressing another kiss to your temple before leading you toward the kitchen, his fingers still laced with yours.

And for the first time since you had found out, the crushing weight of uncertainty didn’t feel so heavy anymore. Because no matter what happened next, you weren’t facing it alone.

Jeongin had always been sweet, thoughtful in ways that made your heart swell, but ever since you told him about the baby, he had become something else entirely.

Attentive. Overly concerned, even. But in a way that never suffocated you, never felt like too much.

He was always checking in.

Did you sleep well?

Did you eat?

Are you feeling nauseous today?

How’s practice? Don’t push yourself too hard, okay?

If you’re tired, tell your manager. Please.

At first, it had been through texts, constant little reminders that he was thinking of you, making sure you were okay even if he couldn’t be there physically. Then, he started sending things, small gestures that quickly turned into something your members refused to let go unnoticed.

It had started with food.

One day after rehearsal, you walked into the practice room to find neatly packed meals waiting for you, nutritious ones, carefully thought out, clearly not just random takeout. The delivery receipt had Jeongin’s name on it, and when you checked your phone, there was a simple message from him:

You need to eat well. Take care of yourself, okay?

The girls had pounced on that immediately.

“Ooooh, look at this!” Minsu had grinned, holding up one of the food containers. “Our girl is getting spoiled.”

Jinae smirked as she leaned over to inspect the meals. “Looks like someone’s boyfriend is taking this whole ‘taking care of you’ thing very seriously.”

Chae, the quietest of the group, had just nudged one of the bowls toward you. “You should eat,” she said, completely bypassing the teasing, but the small smile tugging at her lips gave her away.

You’d rolled your eyes, cheeks burning, but you couldn’t fight the warmth that spread through your chest.

Then came the flowers.

A few days later, a bouquet arrived at the company. Soft pastel roses, carefully arranged in a delicate wrapping. No extravagant note, just a simple card tucked between the petals:

For my love, just because.

Minsu practically screeched when she saw them.

“Okay, that’s it, he’s setting the bar way too high for every other man on this planet!”

Jinae snorted, plucking the card from the flowers and reading it aloud in a dramatic voice. “For my love. God, he’s such a romantic.”

Chae just smiled, watching you with knowing eyes as you shyly hid your face in your hands. “You deserve it,” she said simply.

And maybe that was the part that made your chest tighten the most. Because for so long, you had been terrified, terrified that this pregnancy would ruin everything, that it would push Jeongin away, that it would complicate your already messy, hidden relationship beyond repair.

But here he was.

Taking care of you in ways you hadn’t even asked for. Checking on you, making sure you were eating, sending flowers just to remind you he was thinking of you.

The girls were right.

You did deserve it. And Jeongin was sweet, thoughtful, proving day after day, that he wasn’t going anywhere.

No matter how many times Jeongin reassured you, no matter how supportive your members were, the anxiety never truly left. It sat heavy in your chest, a constant weight pressing down on you, whispering every worst-case scenario into your mind.

Telling Jeongin had been terrifying, but telling the company? Telling your manager? Telling the world? That was something you still couldn’t even begin to wrap your head around.

What would happen to your career? To his?

It was one thing to be secretly dating, it was another thing entirely to be expecting a baby.

Every time you thought about it, your stomach twisted, and no amount of Jeongin’s sweet gestures or your members’ reassurances could fully push that fear away.

And today, that fear nearly swallowed you whole.

It was just another fitting session, something you’d done hundreds of times before. Your group was preparing for another stage, and the stylists had brought in new outfits, fresh off the racks, tailored specifically to your measurements.

Except, when you stepped into the dressing room and slipped on the stage outfit, something felt wrong.

The fabric was too tight, pressing uncomfortably against your stomach in a way that made your breath hitch. You tried shifting, tugging at the seams, adjusting the zipper, nothing helped.

When you stepped out to show the fit, the head stylist immediately frowned.

“That’s… strange,” she murmured, tilting her head as she eyed you. “It shouldn’t be that tight. I triple-checked the measurements.”

Your stomach dropped.

Panic set in instantly, your mind scrambling for an explanation. The stylist had been working with you for years, she knew your size down to the millimeter. If something didn’t fit, there had to be a reason.

You forced out a small, awkward laugh, waving your hand dismissively. “Ah, yeah, I’ve just been eating a lot more lately,” you said quickly, hoping the excuse would be enough.

For a second, the stylist just looked at you, her brows furrowing ever so slightly.

Then, before she could say anything else, your members jumped in.

Minsu was the first to speak, her voice light, casual, but firm. “Yeah, she’s been snacking nonstop lately,” she said with an exaggerated grin. “Seriously, it’s like she’s making up for all the times we’ve been on diets.”

Jinae nodded along immediately, crossing her arms. “Not to mention all the meals her boyfriend has been sending her,” she added with a pointed look in your direction, smirking when your cheeks flushed. “She’s being spoiled, that’s all.”

Chae, ever the quiet but effective one, simply gave a small shrug. “We’ll just need to adjust the fit a little, right?” she said, looking at the stylist expectantly, as if daring her to push the conversation any further.

The stylist blinked, her suspicion still evident, but after a beat, she sighed and nodded. “Yeah… I’ll loosen the waist a little.” She gave you one last glance, eyes flickering with something unreadable, before jotting down some notes. “Let me know if anything else feels uncomfortable.”

You swallowed the lump in your throat, nodding quickly. “Thank you.”

As soon as she walked off, Minsu turned to you and nudged your side playfully. “You owe us for that one,” she teased, but her eyes were filled with understanding.

Jinae raised an eyebrow. “You might wanna start thinking about when you’re gonna tell the company, though,” she murmured, low enough that no one else could hear. “We can only cover for you for so long.”

You knew she was right.

But the thought of it made your stomach churn all over again.

The city lights flickered softly as you walked home, the cool night air wrapping around you like a quiet embrace. After the long day of rehearsals, fittings, and dodging suspicious glances from your stylist, all you wanted was to crawl into bed and let the exhaustion take over.

Your phone buzzed in your pocket, and when you pulled it out, Jeongin’s name lit up the screen. A small smile tugged at your lips despite the tiredness settling deep in your bones.

You answered on the second ring. “Hey.”

His voice was warm, filled with that familiar affection that made your heart ache in the best way. “Hey, love. Are you on your way home?”

“Yeah, just a few more minutes,” you replied, shifting your bag on your shoulder. “How was practice?”

Jeongin groaned dramatically. “Exhausting. Hyung is being a tyrant again.”

You giggled at that, already picturing the way Chan must have been pushing them to their limits. “Sounds like him.”

He huffed. “But enough about me. How was your day? Are you feeling okay?”

You hesitated for a second before sighing. “It was… fine, mostly.”

Jeongin didn’t miss the slight edge in your voice. “Mostly?”

You chewed on your lip, debating whether or not to tell him, but then decided there was no point in hiding it. “The stylist got suspicious today.”

There was a pause. “What do you mean?”

You took a breath. “During the fitting. The stage outfit was too tight, and she knew it wasn’t supposed to be. She looked really confused.”

Jeongin let out a low hum. “Are you..are you showing?”

“Not yet,” you admitted. “But I’ve gained weight. I know I have.”

The words tasted bitter on your tongue, the reminder that your body was slowly changing in ways you couldn’t hide forever.

But Jeongin only chuckled. “Of course you have, love. You’re growing a whole human in there.”

You rolled your eyes at his teasing tone, but your heart softened. “The girls covered for me, though,” you continued. “Minsu, Jinae, and Chae. When the stylist looked suspicious, they jumped in and made up excuses. They really had my back.”

“They always do,” Jeongin said, and you could hear the gratitude in his voice. “I need to thank them properly.”

You smiled to yourself. “They’ll probably make you buy them dinner or something.”

“That’s a small price to pay,” he said, and you could hear the grin in his voice. Then, after a brief pause, he sighed. “I, uh… I told Chan.”

You stopped walking.

Your grip on your phone tightened. “You told him?”

Jeongin exhaled. “Yeah. I had to, love. He’s my leader, he’s like my older brother. And I just… I couldn’t keep it from him.”

Your stomach twisted. “What did he say?”

Jeongin hesitated. “He was… upset.”

Your heart sank.

“How upset?” you asked, your voice quieter now.

There was another pause before Jeongin sighed again. “Upset enough that he sent me home early from practice.”

That made your chest tighten with worry. Chan was one of the most patient, level-headed people in the industry, if he had reacted that strongly, it meant he was seriously shaken by the news.

“I don’t want this to cause problems for you,” you murmured. “I don’t want him to be mad at you because of me.”

“Hey,” Jeongin said gently, his voice immediately soothing. “This isn’t your fault. And he’s not mad at you, he’s just worried. About me, about the group, about everything. But he’ll come around. He always does.”

You swallowed hard, still feeling uneasy, but you nodded even though he couldn’t see you.

Jeongin’s voice softened even more. “I know this is scary, but we’ll figure it out, okay?”

You closed your eyes briefly, letting the warmth of his reassurance settle over you. “Okay.”

For a moment, neither of you spoke. Just the quiet sounds of the city filled the space between you.

Then, Jeongin chuckled. “I love you, you know.”

Your heart stuttered. “I know,” you whispered.

“And I love our little bean, too,” he added, his voice full of something so tender it made your throat tighten.

Tears pricked at your eyes, but this time, they weren’t from fear. “We love you, too.”

Jeongin sighed happily. “Get home safe, love. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will,” you promised. “Goodnight, Jeongin.”

“Goodnight, my love.”

As you slipped your phone back into your pocket, the lingering warmth of his words stayed with you.

Maybe things weren’t easy. Maybe they wouldn’t be for a long time.

But at least you weren’t facing them alone.

For a while, everything had felt like it was settling into a new rhythm. You and Jeongin were figuring things out, navigating the challenges of your secret pregnancy, the unspoken tension of keeping things hidden, and the overwhelming pressure of your careers. The balance felt fragile, but you were managing.

He had been so incredibly supportive, texting you every day, sending sweet messages, checking in on you multiple times a day. Every night, you’d call him, sometimes just to talk, other times to vent, and sometimes to simply hear his voice after a long, tiring day. You felt safe, loved, and more than anything, supported.

But then, without warning, things began to shift.

It started slowly at first. You’d notice he wasn’t replying to your messages as quickly as he used to, or his responses seemed a little more distant, a little more curt. You chalked it up to stress from his own schedule, knowing how grueling idol life could be. You didn’t want to jump to conclusions, especially since he had been so caring up until then.

But the signs kept adding up, and eventually, you couldn’t ignore them anymore. His nightly calls were less frequent, and when you did talk, the conversations felt different. He was still kind, still affectionate, but there was something off. It was like he was holding something back, something he wasn’t saying to you.

You tried not to worry, but the doubt lingered in the back of your mind. What was going on?

Then one night, after you had sent him a text asking how he was doing and reminding him to rest, you called him, hoping to get a chance to talk and maybe figure out what was wrong.

But when he picked up, there was a coldness to his voice that you hadn’t heard before.

“What’s up?”

“Jeongin, hey,” you said, trying to sound casual, but the knot in your stomach made it hard. “I’ve been trying to reach you all day. Are you okay? Something’s been off lately. Have I done something wrong?”

You hesitated, waiting for his answer, but the silence on the other end felt like a thousand miles.

When he finally spoke, his tone was sharp. “You’re being really annoying lately. Why can’t you just let me be? I’m fine. Just... leave me alone for a bit.”

The words hit you like a punch in the gut.

“Wha—what?” Your voice trembled, unsure if you were hearing him correctly. “Jeongin, what’s going on? You’ve been distant, and I—”

“I said leave me alone,” he snapped, his voice suddenly laced with frustration. “Just stop. You don’t need to keep asking about everything. You’re annoying me.”

You stood there, frozen, the phone pressed to your ear as his words sank in.

“Jeongin—” you started, but he didn’t let you finish.

There was a soft click, and then the line went dead.

He hung up.

You stared at the screen in shock, your heart pounding in your chest. It was like the ground had been ripped out from beneath you.

What just happened?

The Jeongin you knew, the one who had been nothing but kind and loving, who had been so understanding, so supportive during everything, would never say something like that. You had expected him to be the one person who would never shut you out, but now it felt like he had just completely turned on you.

Was he angry? Had you done something to upset him? Or was it something else entirely?

The more you thought about it, the more the panic set in. You couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed, something big that you weren’t seeing.

But what?

You sat there, staring at the phone for what felt like an eternity, trying to make sense of the conversation, trying to understand where it had all gone wrong. But you couldn’t.

Your heart was racing, your hands trembling as you replayed his harsh words over and over in your mind. Annoying?

You had never heard him sound like that before. Not once.

The longer you thought about it, the more worried you became. What if he was pulling away from you? What if it was the stress of everything finally breaking him down, and now he was distancing himself because he didn’t know how to handle it? Or worse, what if something else was going on in his life that he wasn’t telling you?

You tried texting him again, your fingers shaking as you typed out a message:

Jeongin, please. I’m worried. What’s happening? Can we talk?

But you didn’t get a reply.

The silence that followed was the loudest thing you’d ever experienced. It felt suffocating.

You didn’t know what to do. You didn’t want to bombard him, but at the same time, the uncertainty was killing you. You couldn’t just leave it like this, not when it felt like the foundation you had been building together was cracking.

You stared at your phone again, feeling completely lost, unsure of what had just happened or how to fix it. All you could think about was how suddenly, everything had felt so right, and now, it felt like it was slipping through your fingers.

Why was he shutting you out? What had changed? And more importantly, could you fix it before it was too late?

masterlist.

❌proofread

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ivyyisbored22 · 1 month ago

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𝐒𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲—𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘹 (𝘧𝘦𝘮) 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳

A Stray Kids drabble

Synopsis: Just thinking about Dad Chan...

Warnings: Mention of a needle. Baby shots, soft Chan, fluff.

Note: I came across so many baby reels on Instagram and so well, I wanted to write something quickly.

If this isn't your thing, you're more than welcome to skip it. Reblogs, likes, comments and feedbacks are always appreciated.

ɪ'ᴠᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴏꜰ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪᴛ ᴀ ᴍɪʟʟɪᴏɴ ᴛɪᴍᴇꜱ ʙᴜᴛ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴘᴏᴛ ᴀ ᴍɪꜱᴛᴀᴋᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴡʜᴇʀᴇ, ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ʟᴇᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡ.

Word count: 0.7k

𝑬𝑵𝑱𝑶𝒀!

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

Just thinking about Dad Chan...

The nursery was looming with the lingering scent of baby lotion and the cute giggles of your 6 month old baby, as you got her dressed for her check up. She was looking up at you with a huge gummy smile, her little hands wiggling in the air.

"Are you excited to see the doctor?" You cooed and the baby scrunched her little nose, "Oh, you are? Aren't you a brave girl?"

As you fastened the tiny buttons on her dress, the soft sound of footsteps approached the nursery.

Chan peeked in, hair slightly tousled from the morning rush, eyes immediately finding his little girl. His lips curled into a fond smile as he bent beside you, pressing a kiss to your temple and her chubby cheek.

“Good morning, princess,” he murmured, running his fingers through her wispy baby hair. “Are you ready?”

Your baby let out a happy squeal, her hands patting Chan’s face with newfound excitement. Chan smiled as he scooped the baby in his arms and walked to the car as you grabbed your bag and the essentials you might need.

At the doctor’s office, your baby sat on Chan’s lap, clapping her hands at the colorful art and posters decorating the walls. Chan was tapping his leg on the floor making her gently bounce up and down, giggling.

When the doctor finally entered, he gave you both a warm smile. “She’s growing beautifully. Everything looks perfect,” he said, flipping through the chart.

Chan sighed in relief—until the doctor added, “Alright, we’ll go ahead with her vaccination today.”

Chan stiffened instantly, arms tightening around your daughter. “H-hold on,” he stammered, his voice nearly cracking. “Does she have to?”

You gave him a deadpan look, but the doctor gave a gentle smile. "Of course but it's just a shot. She’ll be fine, don't worry.”

But Chan wasn’t convinced. As the nurse prepped the syringe, he looked like he was physically restraining himself from grabbing his baby and bolting out of the office.

“She’s so tiny,” he whispered, eyes darting between you and the nurse. “Can’t we—I don’t know—wait until she’s, like, ten?”

Before you could answer, the nurse instructed Chan to hold your daughter still. With heartbreaking trust, she looked up at her father, smiling with pure innocence, completely unaware of what was coming.

Then the shot happened.

The moment the needle pricked her chubby thigh, your baby’s face crumpled, her joyful babbling instantly turning into a loud wail.

Chan’s entire body tensed and his heart visibly shattered. “Oh my God, baby, I’m so sorry,” he blurted, his voice cracking as if he was the one in pain.

"All done," the nurse announced, placing a cute bandaid on her leg.

He kissed her forehead and cheeks frantically, his eyes welling up. “I’m so sorry, princess. Daddy didn't want this either.”

You pinched the bridge of your nose inhaling deeply. “Chan, breathe.”

But it was useless—he was already lost to his sorrow, whispering apologies into her tiny curls while she sniffled against his chest. The doctor reassured him that she’d be fine in a few minutes, but Chan was having none of it.

While you let your husband walk around the office trying to soothe the baby, you took her report card from the doctor, bidding a warm goodbye to him and the nurse, walking towards Chan who was now outside the room.

Once you were back in the car, your baby had already calmed down, sucking on her fingers while making soft cooing noises as Chan placed her on the car seat.

Chan, on the other hand, was still distraught, climbing into the driver's side and rested his head against the steering wheel. “That was the worst experience of my life.”

You reached over, rubbing his back soothingly. “Honey, she’s literally fine.”

He lifted his head to glare at you, eyes red-rimmed and tears brimming his long lashes. “She cried. Did you not hear that? I’m traumatized.”

Suppressing a laugh, you leaned over, pressing your lips on his softly. “You’re such a good dad,” you murmured against him. “She’s very lucky to have you hubby.”

Chan sighed heavily but melted into your touch, glancing back at the rearview mirror where your daughter was already dozing off.

“Yeah,” he muttered, still pouting. “But she’s never getting another shot again.”

Enjoyed this drabble? Consider checking my masterlist for more. Requests? Check 𝚁𝚎𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚜 (& 𝚁𝚞��𝚎𝚜)

Taglist: @velvetmoonlght @de-uns-tempos-pra-ca @greyyeti

If you want to be added to the taglist, drop a comment <3 (If I missed someone please lmk)

Thank you for reading!

xx,

Ivyy

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bbokarimenu · 4 months ago

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Heartstrings ❤️‍🩹

pairing: idoldadbangchan! x fem reader!

genre: Angst

warnings: none

an: Love is a journey, not a destination. Thank you for reading! ❤️

Masterlist

The soft hum of the baby monitor on the nightstand was the only sound breaking the stillness of the room. I sat on the edge of our bed, staring at the digital clock glowing 2:37 AM. My chest tightened as I fought the urge to cry.

Bang Chan wasn’t here again.

It had been weeks since he’d had a proper day off, weeks since we’d spent more than a fleeting moment together as a family. He was always working—writing, producing, rehearsing. And while I knew his role as the leader of Stray Kids demanded so much of him, it felt like his role as a father and partner had taken a backseat.

A soft cry crackled through the baby monitor, jolting me out of my thoughts.

“Shh, I’m coming,” I whispered to no one, pulling myself together and heading into the nursery.

Our daughter, Luna, lay in her crib, her tiny face scrunched up as she whimpered. I reached in, scooping her up gently, and began rocking her in my arms.

“It’s okay, sweet girl,” I cooed. “Mommy’s here.”

Her cries subsided into soft sniffles, and I kissed her forehead, inhaling the faint scent of baby powder.

I felt a pang of sadness as I looked down at her. She deserved more than this. More than just me. She deserved her dad too.

The front door creaked open just after 4 AM. I was sitting on the couch, Luna finally asleep in her bassinet beside me.

Chan stepped inside, his shoulders slumped and his hoodie pulled low over his face. He looked exhausted, but when he saw me sitting there, his eyes widened in surprise.

“(Y/N), you’re still awake?”

I nodded, crossing my arms over my chest. “How could I sleep when I don’t even know if you’re coming home anymore?”

He winced, shutting the door quietly behind him. “I’m sorry. Practice ran late, and then I had some things to finish in the studio—”

“It’s always practice or the studio or something else,” I interrupted, my voice trembling with frustration. “Do you even realize how long it’s been since you spent time with us? With her?” I motioned toward the bassinet.

His gaze flickered to Luna, and guilt flashed across his face. “I know. I know I’ve been… absent. But you know how important this is. I’m doing this for us. For her future.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Her future? Chan, she doesn’t need all the money or fame in the world. She needs her dad. I need you.”

“I’m trying,” he said, his voice cracking. “I’m doing the best I can.”

“Are you?” I asked, standing up. “Because it feels like your best is reserved for everyone else but us.”

His shoulders sagged, and he ran a hand through his hair. “What do you want me to do, (Y/N)? Quit? Walk away from everything I’ve worked for?”

“I’m not asking you to quit,” I said, my voice softening. “I’m asking you to find a balance. To make time for the family you chose to have.”

He looked at me, and for a moment, I thought he might argue. But then he nodded, his expression weary. “You’re right. I’ve been… I’ve been failing you. Both of you. I’ll try harder, I promise.”

I wanted to believe him. I really did.

Days turned into weeks, and while Chan did make more of an effort to be present, it still felt like his heart was elsewhere. He’d hold Luna and play with her, but his phone was always nearby, his mind half in another world.

One evening, after putting Luna to bed, I found him in the living room with his laptop open. He was reviewing tracks, his headphones on, completely absorbed.

“Chan,” I said, standing in the doorway.

He didn’t respond.

“Chan,” I said again, louder this time.

He finally looked up, pulling his headphones off. “What’s up?”

I stared at him, my chest tightening. “Is this what it’s always going to be like? You here, but not really here?”

He frowned, closing his laptop. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about us,” I said, stepping closer. “I’m talking about how I feel like I’m raising Luna on my own while you chase this dream that seems more important than we are.”

“That’s not fair,” he said, his voice rising slightly. “You knew what you were signing up for when we started this. You knew my career would demand a lot of me.”

“I didn’t know it would mean losing you,” I shot back, tears spilling over.

His face softened, and he stood, reaching for me. “(Y/N), don’t say that. You haven’t lost me.”

“Haven’t I?” I whispered, pulling away. “Because it feels like I’m standing here begging for scraps of your time, your attention. And I shouldn’t have to beg, Chan. We shouldn’t have to beg.”

He looked at me, pain etched across his face, but he didn’t say anything. And in that silence, I felt my heart break a little more.

That night, I packed a bag for Luna and me.

I didn’t want to leave. I loved Chan more than anything, but I couldn’t keep living like this. I couldn’t keep feeling like we were an afterthought in his life.

When he found me in the nursery, his eyes widened in alarm. “What are you doing?”

“I need some space,” I said, my voice trembling. “I need to figure out what’s best for Luna and me.”

“(Y/N), please,” he said, his voice desperate. “Don’t do this. Don’t leave.”

“I don’t want to,” I admitted, tears streaming down my face. “But I can’t keep waiting for you to choose us.”

He reached for me, his hands trembling. “You don’t have to wait. I’ll do better, I swear. Just don’t go.”

I looked at him, my heart breaking at the sight of his tears. “I love you, Chan. But love isn’t enough if we’re the only ones fighting for this.”

With that, I picked up Luna and walked out the door, leaving behind the man I loved and the life we had built together.

The days that followed were some of the hardest of my life. I stayed with my sister, trying to find clarity amidst the chaos of my emotions.

Chan called and texted every day, apologizing, begging for another chance. I wanted to forgive him, to run back into his arms and pretend everything was okay. But I knew we needed more than just promises.

One evening, about two weeks after I left, there was a knock at the door.

I opened it to find Chan standing there, holding a small bouquet of flowers and a stuffed bunny for Luna. He looked exhausted, but there was a determination in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.

“Can we talk?” he asked.

I nodded, stepping aside to let him in.

He sat down on the couch, his hands trembling as he set the flowers and toy on the table. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking,” he began. “About us. About everything.”

I sat across from him, waiting.

“You were right,” he said, his voice breaking. “I’ve been so focused on my career that I’ve been neglecting the most important people in my life. And I hate myself for it.”

Tears filled my eyes, but I didn’t say anything.

“I don’t want to lose you,” he continued. “I don’t want to lose our family. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to fix this. To be the husband and father you both deserve.”

“Chan,” I said softly, my voice trembling. “I don’t need perfection. I just need you to try. To really try.”

He reached across the table, taking my hands in his. “I will. I swear, (Y/N). You and Luna are my everything. And I’m going to prove it to you every day.”

Looking into his eyes, I saw the sincerity there. The love. The man I had fallen in love with.

Maybe it wouldn’t be easy. Maybe we had a long road ahead of us. But for the first time in weeks, I felt hope.

And that was enough to take the first step toward healing together.

#kpop imagines #stray kids imagines #bangchan imagines #bang chan angst #dad chan #lee felix fluff #lee know #lee felix #skz x reader #stray kids #skz imagines #bang chan smut #lee felix smut #stray kids smut #skz smut

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strayingawayy · 3 months ago

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dance class with daddy!

...where your little girl teaches her daddy, the main dancer of one of the biggest kpop groups, how to dance

“you’re doing it wrong!” your daughter shouted, hands on her hips as she glared at minho.

minho, ever the professional, stopped mid-spin, eyes wide. "what do you mean, i’m doing it wrong? i’m literally following you!" he tried to mimic her tiny movements, his arms flailing in all the wrong directions.

“no, daddy! like this!” she spun in a perfect circle, her arms extended gracefully, before stopping to point at him again. “do the feet! the feet!”

minho blinked, clearly confused. “the feet? you didn’t tell me about feet!”

“do the feet!” she demanded, bouncing on the spot, her voice serious like a little dance instructor.

you were on the sidelines, biting back your laughter. minho, the literal main dancer of stray kids, was struggling to keep up with your toddler. it was hilarious.

minho tried again, his feet doing some awkward shuffle. “like this?”

“no! no! you need to do the other feet!” she screeched, pointing at the floor dramatically. “other feet, daddy!”

he froze, looking at you for help. “what other feet?” his voice was desperate, almost pleading for you to intervene.

“i have no idea,” you said, barely containing your laughter. “she changes the choreography every five seconds. just follow her.”

you watched as your daughter stomped over to minho and grabbed his hand, tugging him into position. “now we jump!” she announced proudly, before proceeding to jump up and down in rapid succession.

minho gave you a wide-eyed look, his body already aching from the "dance." “she’s a drill sergeant, not a dance teacher.”

"jump, daddy!" she yelled, practically jumping herself into the air, her little legs barely lifting off the ground. minho sighed, giving a half-hearted jump. “like this?”

“no!” she shouted. “like this!” she then proceeded to twist her body in a way that looked like an interpretive dance move gone wrong.

you were wiping away tears of laughter, watching minho try to follow along. every time he thought he had it, she changed the move. "she’s a genius" you teased.

minho collapsed onto the couch, defeated but amused. "i’m officially her backup dancer."

your daughter, hands on her hips, nodded seriously, as if she were the one making the final judgment. “good job, daddy.”

minho grinned, rubbing his sore arms. “i’m never going to live this down.”

but you knew, as the three of you giggled together, that these were the moments minho would treasure most. no stage, no spotlight—just his little girl and the other feet.

___

@staytilldeath @somedumbthings @itisjustpaula

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giddyfatherchris · 10 months ago

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📱skz texts — skz dads send you updates on your child

| including. han, felix, seungmin, i.n

type. requested (thank youuu)

warnings. none

a/n. honestly i can’t even decide which of these i like more, i just love to imagine them all as dads also searching up the baby pics gave me crazy baby fever jesus christ🥺 would also like to say i was SO thrilled when i found the pic for hannie!!! it looks so much like him.?? raaaah i love these hope you do too, love u babes mwah

hyung line

han

felix

seungmin

i.n

#ilya texts fics #stray kids #stray kids x reader #stray kids fluff #stray kids texts #bang chan #lee know #changbin #hyunjin #han skz #felix skz #seungmin skz #i.n skz #stray kids dads

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linoxpudding · 2 months ago

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"I Want A Baby" (Hyung Line)

summary: your boyfriend's reaction when you randomly text them wanting a baby

pairing: skz hyung line x fem!reader

genre: fluff, humor

a/n: this was requested ♡

Maknae Line

Masterlist

~°~

Bang Chan

Lee Know

Seo Changbin

Hwang Hyunjin

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strayflowersstarsandlove · 3 months ago

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baby daddy!skz reacting to your water breaking💧

✨more dad!skz texts

✨main masterlist for more delulu bf!skz

✨taglist @milf-ivy @minluvly @nervousbasementtimemachine @m1lfl0v3r4l1fe

@atiana1996 @dreamerwasfound @staydoida1

@chlodavids @ivyreadsstuff @sapphirewaves

@hannahhhhs-things @skzwife

🖤hyung line🖤

🖤maknae line🖤

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4linos · 7 days ago

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fractured silence 2.

yang jeongin x idol!reader

synopsis: when your pregnancy complicates your secret relationship, the emotional distance between you and your boyfriend grows, leaving you unsure of where you stand and what the future holds.

warnings: pregnancy, angst, hurt/comfort, miscommunication.

wc: 9747

[fractured silence part 1]

The morning light filtered through the windows of the makeup room, casting a soft glow on your reflection as a stylist carefully applied foundation to your skin. But despite the gentle hum of conversation between staff members and the usual pre-interview preparations, your mind was stuck on the night before.

Jeongin’s words still echoed in your head, playing on an endless loop.

You’re being really annoying lately.

Just leave me alone for a bit.

You don’t need to keep asking about everything.

No matter how many times you tried to push them away, the weight of his frustration sat heavily on your chest. The way he had snapped at you, the sudden shift in his behavior, it didn’t make sense.

He had been so sweet, so supportive. He had promised to stand by your side. But now?

Now, he was shutting you out, and you didn’t understand why.

You wanted to call him again, to demand an explanation, to ask if he really meant what he said. But a part of you was scared of the answer.

What if he did mean it?

What if he was regretting everything?

You swallowed hard, trying to focus on the present. You had a long day ahead, interviews, schedules, promotions. You couldn’t let yourself break down right now.

You could deal with Jeongin later.

But then, your manager, Jinhee walked in.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” she said, her voice neutral, but something about the way she looked at you made your stomach twist.

You barely hesitated before nodding, carefully getting up from the chair. “Of course.”

You excused yourself from the stylists, smoothing down your outfit as you followed Jinhee out of the room and down the hall.

She didn’t speak right away, just kept walking, and with every silent second, the tension in your body grew.

She led you into an empty practice room, the door clicking shut behind you. The room was dim, the large mirrors reflecting your nervous expression as you turned to face her.

And then, she finally spoke.

“Is it true?”

Your breath hitched.

She didn’t need to clarify. You knew exactly what she was asking.

Your stomach dropped.

Your lips parted slightly, but no words came out. You couldn’t lie, not to her. But you also didn’t know how to answer.

“I—” you started, your voice barely above a whisper, but she cut you off with a sigh.

“Just tell me the truth.”

She wasn’t angry. That was what scared you the most. If she had come in screaming, furious, maybe it would have been easier to handle. But the disappointment in her eyes, the quiet weight in her tone, it felt so much worse.

You swallowed hard, feeling your body go rigid. Your heartbeat pounded in your ears, and suddenly, the room felt too small.

How did she know?

You had been so careful. You had only told the people you trusted the most your members, and Jeongin.

So how?

Your silence must have been answer enough because Jinhee, sighed again, crossing her arms.

“The company knows.”

The words hit you like a freight train.

Your hands clenched at your sides. “What?”

“JYP reached out to us,” she explained, her voice still calm but firm. “They said they received the information and wanted to confirm it with HYBE. I don’t know who told them, but someone did.”

Your breath caught in your throat.

Someone… told them?

Your mind raced, grasping for answers, but there was only one name flashing in your head, one person who had been acting off ever since he told you he had spoken to Chan.

Jeongin.

You felt like the ground had been ripped out from beneath you.

Had he told them?

No, that didn’t make sense. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Right?

Your pulse quickened as you struggled to breathe, to think, to make sense of it all.

“I—I don’t know what to say,” you admitted, your voice shaky.

Jinhee studied you carefully. “Look, I don’t know what’s going to happen yet. But I wanted to warn you before things get worse. HYBE is upset, JYP even more so. You need to be prepared.”

Prepared?

For what?

For the company to scold you? To make you hide even more? To tell you what you already knew that you had just risked everything you worked for?

Your hands trembled, and you clenched them into fists to steady yourself.

Jinhee took a step closer, her voice softening. “Are you okay?”

You wanted to say yes.

You wanted to say that you had everything under control, that you were handling it, that you weren’t standing on the verge of breaking.

But you couldn’t.

Because at that moment, it felt like everything was falling apart.

You shook your head, your voice barely above a whisper. “I wasn’t… I wasn’t ready to tell them yet.”

Jinhee’s expression remained calm, but there was something almost pitying in her eyes. “I know,” she said gently. “But the reality is, they already know. And I don’t know when or how this is going to unfold.”

Her words sent a fresh wave of panic crashing over you.

This wasn’t supposed to happen yet.

You had been preparing yourself, trying to gather the courage to tell the company when the time felt right. When you had a plan. When you and Jeongin figured things out. But now, it was out of your hands.

You bit your lip hard to stop the tears from forming, inhaling sharply as you fought against the lump in your throat.

Jinhee sighed, her tone softer now. “I’ll try to find out more. Who reported it, what the company plans to do, but for now, just focus on today’s schedules. Alright?”

You nodded stiffly, even though you knew, deep down you wouldn’t be able to focus on anything else. This was going to cloud your mind for the rest of the day, no matter how hard you tried to push it down.

With a weak “thank you,” you turned on your heel and left the practice room, your mind racing as you made your way back to the makeup room.

The moment you stepped inside, the other girls turned to you, their faces filled with quiet concern.

Jinae gave you a soft smile. “Everything okay?”

You forced a smile back, even though your chest felt tight. “Yeah. Just… manager stuff.”

They didn’t push, but you could tell they knew something was wrong. You could see it in the way Chae watched you closely, in how Minsu subtly reached out and gave your arm a reassuring squeeze. They weren’t fooled, but they weren’t going to force you to talk.

You appreciated that.

Taking a deep breath, you reached into your bag, fingers scrambling as you searched for your phone. Your hands were trembling slightly, but you ignored it.

You needed to talk to Jeongin.

You needed to hear him tell you that this was a mistake that your company somehow got the information wrong. That he hadn’t done this. That someone else had leaked it.

You tugged your phone out and barely mumbled a rushed “I’ll be right back” before slipping out of the room again.

Your heart was pounding as you rushed down the hall, gripping your phone tightly as you dialed his number.

One ring.

Two.

Three.

Four.

He wasn’t answering.

You pressed your back against the cool wall, closing your eyes briefly as the call continued ringing.

Pick up. Please.

On the very last ring, just when you thought it would go to voicemail, the call connected.

Jeongin’s voice came through, but it wasn’t the warm, concerned tone you were used to.

It was irritated. Bothered.

“What is it?” he asked, exhaling heavily like he had just been interrupted from something important.

Your stomach twisted, but you pushed past the hurt.

“They know.”

There was a long pause.

Too long.

You could hear your own heartbeat in the silence.

Then, barely above a whisper, you asked the question you were dreading.

“…Did you tell them?”

More silence.

And then before he could even say anything, he sighed.

“I’m sorry.”

Your breath hitched.

That was all the confirmation you needed.

Your grip on your phone tightened as you stared blankly at the tiled floor, your entire body going rigid.

“Why?” Your voice came out shaky, raw. “Why would you do that?”

Jeongin exhaled again, but it wasn’t frustrated this time. It was tired.

“Because—” He hesitated. “Because they were going to find out eventually.”

You blinked rapidly, your vision blurring. “So what? You decided to throw me under the bus first? Were you..were you trying to save yourself?”

Jeongin’s breath hitched at your accusation. “No—”

“Then why?” you asked again, your voice cracking. “Why would you go behind my back like this? We were supposed to handle this together.”

“I was handling it,” he argued, but there was something defensive in his tone. “I told Chan. And he—he lost it. He said this could ruin everything. He was scared, and I—” He cut himself off, like he didn’t know how to explain. “I thought if I told them first, it would be better than them finding out through rumors or scandals.”

You let out a bitter laugh, one that held no amusement. “Better?”

Jeongin didn’t answer.

You wiped at your face harshly, even though the tears hadn’t fallen yet. Your chest ached, your throat felt tight, and suddenly, you felt so small.

So alone.

“You promised me,” you whispered. “You promised you’d stand by me.”

“I am—”

“No, Jeongin,” you cut him off. “You’re not.”

Another silence.

The longer it stretched, the more your heart shattered.

You waited, waited for him to say something, to tell you that he was still here, that he hadn’t just broken the trust you had in him.

But nothing came.

And suddenly, the weight of everything, the pregnancy, the company knowing, the overwhelming sense of betrayal became too much.

You couldn’t do this. Not right now.

You swallowed down the sob threatening to escape and exhaled shakily. “I have to go.”

Jeongin must have heard the shift in your tone because his voice softened immediately. “Wait—”

But you didn’t wait.

You hung up before he could say another word.

And this time, you didn’t call back.

The moment you hung up, your phone lit up again, Jeongin’s name flashing across the screen.

He was calling you back.

You clenched your jaw, gripping the phone so tightly your knuckles turned white. You weren’t ready to hear whatever excuses he had. You didn’t want to listen to his apologies, not when the damage had already been done.

Before you could second-guess yourself, you pressed down on his contact, tapped Block Number, and shoved your phone back into your bag.

You didn’t want to cry. Not now. Not here.

But the weight of everything pressed down on you, threatening to crush you. You were upset with Jeongin, for going behind your back, for making such a huge decision without you. But you were also upset with yourself, for trusting him so blindly, for believing he would never do something like this.

And, most of all, you were upset at the situation itself.

If you weren’t an idol, would things be different? Would you and Jeongin be able to celebrate this pregnancy instead of hiding it in fear? Instead of worrying about your careers, your fans, your companies?

Would he have told you first? Would he have stood by you like he promised?

You swallowed back the lump in your throat and forced your feet to move, step after step, back toward the makeup room.

You had to keep it together.

The moment you walked in, the makeup artists called you over for touch-ups, their chatter filling the room. You sat down in your chair, trying to school your expression into something neutral, something presentable. But your hands were still trembling in your lap.

Jinae, who was seated in the chair next to you, noticed immediately. She turned to face you, her expression careful but concerned.

“Okay,” she said softly, just loud enough for you to hear. “What’s going on?”

You opened your mouth, ready to tell her it was nothing, that you were fine, but the words wouldn’t come.

Because you weren’t fine.

You were barely holding yourself together.

Jinae saw the hesitation in your eyes and reached over, placing a gentle hand on your arm. She didn’t push, didn’t demand answers, just let you know she was there.

You let out a shaky breath, but before you could even begin to explain, Jinhee walked in.

She scanned the room before her eyes landed on you. “It’s time. Let’s go.”

You forced yourself to nod, swallowing down the emotions threatening to spill over.

As you stood up, Jinae did too, falling into step beside you as you followed Jinhee down the hallway. The quiet hum of conversation from other staff members, the distant sounds of rehearsals from different rooms, it all felt muted compared to the storm raging inside your head.

And then, finally, you found your voice.

Still staring straight ahead, you spoke, your voice barely above a whisper. “Jeongin told JYP.”

Jinae froze mid-step, her head snapping toward you. “What?”

You hesitated, then nodded. “They know. HYBE knows. Jinhee just told me.”

Jinae’s expression darkened, her hands clenching into fists at her sides.

“He told them?” she repeated, anger lacing her voice.

You nodded again, your throat tightening. “Without telling me first.”

Jinae let out a slow, controlled breath through her nose. You could tell she was trying to keep her emotions in check, but the way her jaw tensed, the way her eyes flashed with barely-contained fury, it was clear she was pissed.

“How could he do that?” she muttered under her breath.

You didn’t have an answer.

You had asked yourself the same question over and over since you hung up on him.

The worst part was you wanted to understand. You wanted to believe that he had done it for a reason, that he wasn’t just thinking about himself.

But right now?

All you could feel was betrayal.

Jinae clenched her jaw, shaking her head. “He should’ve told you first. He should’ve talked to you before running to his company.”

You exhaled shakily. “I know.”

Jinae looked like she wanted to say more, to do more, but she held back. Instead, she just reached over, giving your hand a quick, reassuring squeeze.

“We’ll figure this out,” she murmured. “Together.”

You nodded, even though the fear in your chest hadn’t lessened.

Because now, the secret was out.

And you had no idea what would happen next.

You forced yourself to smile, to laugh, to nod along to every question thrown your way during the interviews. You kept your posture straight, your voice steady, and your expressions perfect.

Like nothing was wrong.

Like you weren’t falling apart inside.

Jinae, Minsu, and Chae played along, keeping the energy high, subtly guiding the conversation whenever they noticed you slipping. They had your back.

And finally, finally the interviews ended.

As soon as the cameras shut off and the lights dimmed, you let out a quiet breath, exhaustion settling deep into your bones. You just wanted to go home. To crawl into bed and shut everything out.

Back in the dressing room, you changed into your regular clothes, tugging on your hoodie in an attempt to disappear into yourself. The girls were still chatting softly amongst themselves, Minsu occasionally glancing your way with concern.

You knew they wanted to talk, to ask if you were okay, but before they could

The door opened.

Jinhee, stepped in, followed by a man who immediately made the room go silent.

Jun.

Everyone knew Jun.

He was one of the higher-ups at HYBE, one of the kinder ones. He wasn’t the type to belittle idols, wasn’t unnecessarily cruel, but he was serious about his job. If he was here, now, looking this upset

It wasn’t good.

The door shut behind them with a soft click.

Jun crossed his arms, his jaw tight. He exhaled sharply, his expression unreadable, but the tension in the room grew thicker by the second.

Then, finally, he spoke.

“Why did nobody tell the company about what was going on?”

The weight of his words sank in, pressing down on your shoulders like bricks.

You opened your mouth, scrambling for something to say an excuse, an explanation, anything. But before you could, Jinae stepped forward, her arms crossed, her stance firm.

Her tone was sharp, filled with an almost practiced defiance.

“What exactly was there to tell?”

Jun exhaled through his nose, his lips pressing into a thin line.

Jinhee, stepped in before he could respond. “The tip-off didn’t come from Jeongin himself.”

Your eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering in your chest.

“What?” you asked.

She sighed. “It came from his team, from his management.”

Silence.

The realization settled over you like a cold wave.

It wasn’t Jeongin who had run to JYP.

It was the people around him.

The same people who managed his schedules, his appearances, his career. The people who saw him as an investment before they saw him as a person.

You swallowed hard. “Why?”

Jinhee’s expression darkened slightly. “Because they’re angry. And because they want to make sure he isn’t mentioned in any articles if this ever gets out.”

Your heart dropped.

They wanted to keep him safe.

They wanted to leave you out to dry.

Your mouth felt dry, and you turned toward Jun. “What’s going to happen?” you asked, your voice quieter than before. “Is the company really that angry with me?”

Jun sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose for a moment before meeting your eyes.

“Yes,” he admitted. “But more than that… they’re angry that JYP wants to throw you under the bus while keeping Jeongin completely out of it.”

Your breath caught in your throat.

Of course. Of course JYP wouldn’t want their idol wrapped up in a scandal.

You knew how these things worked.

A dating scandal was already risky enough. But a pregnancy? That could end careers.

And HYBE wasn’t exactly known for handling these situations with kindness, either.

Your hands curled into fists at your sides.

“So what?” Minsu cut in, her voice sharper than usual. “They want to act like Jeongin had nothing to do with this? Like she just what? Got pregnant on her own?”

Jun didn’t answer.

Because that was exactly what JYP was trying to do.

Erase Jeongin from the narrative. Make it seem like this was your burden alone. Let you take the backlash, while he walked away unscathed.

Jinae scoffed. “That’s bullshit.”

Jun let out another breath, his expression softening just slightly. “I agree,” he admitted. “Which is why I fought back on it.”

You blinked in surprise.

He continued, “I told them that if Jeongin is involved, then he is involved. If this goes public, we’re not going to pretend otherwise.”

Your chest tightened.

This was it.

The reality you had been dreading was now in motion.

It was out of your hands now.

You weren’t just scared anymore.

You were terrified.

The air in the room was thick with tension, the weight of Jun’s words settling heavily over everyone.

You felt frozen in place, your fingers clenched tightly into your hoodie sleeves as your mind tried to process everything at once.

It wasn’t Jeongin who had told. It was his management.

And now, JYP was working to wipe his name from the situation entirely.

Your company was angry, not just at you, but at them, for trying to shield Jeongin while leaving you and your group to take the fall.

This wasn’t just about you anymore. It was about Jinae. Minsu. Chae. It was about everything the four of you had built together, all the sacrifices you had made to get where you were now.

And the idea that it could all crumble around you because of this? Because of something you didn’t even do alone?

It made you feel sick.

Jinae, standing with her arms crossed tightly over her chest, was the first to speak up.

“What happens if this gets out?” she asked, her voice firm but controlled. “What if Jeongin’s name ends up in the articles anyway?”

Jun sighed, rubbing a hand over his face before answering. “JYP is serious about this. If his name is mentioned, they’re prepared to deny everything.”

The words hit you like a slap.

They would deny it.

Act like it wasn’t true.

Act like you were lying.

Your stomach twisted painfully, and your fingers curled into fists at your sides. You didn’t know why you felt surprised, this was the industry, after all. This was how things worked.

But still, after everything, after how Jeongin had promised to stand by you, after how he had told you over and over again that you weren’t alone..

The thought of him standing back while his company erased his involvement made your chest ache in a way you couldn’t explain.

Jun continued, his voice softer this time. “But I don’t want that to happen.” He looked at you then, his eyes steady. “Because like Minsu said, you didn’t make this baby on your own. It’s unfair for you to be the only one taking the fall while they get to walk away untouched.”

Jinae scoffed under her breath, shaking her head. “Unbelievable.”

Minsu, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke, her voice laced with frustration. “So what happens now? What are we supposed to do?”

Jun exhaled, his expression unreadable. “For now, we wait. HYBE is still discussing how to handle this. We don’t want this leaking before we can control the narrative.”

Control the narrative.

Of course.

This wasn’t just about you, it was about the company’s image. About how they could twist the situation to protect themselves.

Even if Jun had good intentions, even if he seemed to be fighting for you, you knew at the end of the day,

You were just another idol.

And idols were replaceable.

Your hands trembled at your sides, and you felt Chae gently brush against you, a small, silent reminder that you weren’t alone.

But it didn’t feel like enough.

Because even with all of them here, even with their support

You had never felt more alone in your life.

The weight of the conversation bore down on you like an avalanche, suffocating and inescapable. You could feel your heart pounding in your chest, your thoughts spiraling as you struggled to grasp what this all meant for you, what it meant for your future, for your career, for everything you had worked so hard for.

Your voice felt small when you finally spoke. “What should I do?” you asked, eyes locked onto Jun, the only person in the room who could give you a clear answer. “What does the company want me to do?”

Jun sighed, his expression unreadable. “I know you’re not going to like this idea,” he said carefully, measuring his words. “But this is your best option.”

You held your breath.

“A long hiatus.”

The room felt impossibly still.

Jun continued, “You could take time to rest, have the baby, get through postpartum, and then come back completely recovered and fully rested.”

A long hiatus.

You felt the words settle into your bones, heavy and suffocating.

Your gaze flickered to the girls, searching their faces for any sort of reaction. Jinae looked torn, her brows furrowed in concern. Minsu shifted uneasily, arms crossed as if she was holding herself together. Chae’s lips were pressed into a thin line, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

They didn’t want you to go.

But they also knew it was your only choice.

You swallowed the lump in your throat, forcing yourself to nod. “I don’t want to ruin this for the group,” you said, your voice quiet but firm. “So I’ll go.”

You weren’t just doing this for yourself, you were doing it for them.

Because soon, you’d be showing.

Soon, no amount of oversized clothes or careful angles would be able to hide the truth.

And even if you could push through the exhaustion, the nausea, the constant changes happening in your body,

You couldn’t keep performing like you used to.

Dancing, training, long hours of travel, non-stop schedules, none of it was safe for you or the baby.

So this was your only option.

You tried to lighten the mood, offering a small, tired smile. “At least I’ll get to see my family after so long.”

Jinhee, who had been quietly observing, nodded in agreement. “Honestly, this is your best option. You’re lucky the company is being this understanding.”

You nodded again, but there was a part of you that knew

This wasn’t just understanding.

This was damage control.

This was them taking you out of the public eye before the situation could spiral out of their control.

Jun shifted, ready to leave now that the decision had been made.

But before he could take a step, you reached out, gripping his sleeve and pulling him aside, away from Jinhee, away from the girls.

His brow furrowed in slight confusion, but he stayed put, waiting for you to speak.

Your voice was barely above a whisper, raw and desperate.

“Please,” you begged. “Don’t let them drag Jeongin into this.”

Jun’s jaw tightened.

You knew he didn’t like hearing that.

You knew how unfair this was that Jeongin should be held accountable too.

But you couldn’t bring yourself to let that happen.

“I don’t want to ruin his career,” you continued, eyes pleading. “Please.”

Jun exhaled sharply, clearly irritated, but after a long moment, he gave you a brief nod.

Your shoulders sagged with relief, but deep down, you knew

This wasn’t over yet.

The days following that conversation were a blur of forced smiles, quiet panic, and the weight of uncertainty pressing down on you.

You continued attending schedules as if nothing had changed, knowing that soon, you’d have to step away from it all. The company hadn’t made an official statement yet, but the decision was final. You’d be going on hiatus. You just didn’t know when or how they would announce it.

Your members were glued to your side now more than ever. Jinae, Minsu, and Chae hardly let you out of their sight, as if they were afraid you’d disappear before they were ready. Jinae, in particular, was fuming about the way JYP had handled things, but you kept telling her to let it go.

What else could you do?

The hardest part, however, was Jeongin.

You had blocked his number that day, but that didn’t stop him from trying to reach you. Calls from unknown numbers. Messages from Chan. Even handwritten notes delivered through a mutual friend.

All of them said the same thing.

I’m sorry. Please, talk to me.

But you couldn’t.

Not yet.

Not when your entire world was already crashing down around you.

It wasn’t until a few nights later, when you were back at your dorm, that everything truly hit you. You had been holding it together all day, smiling through meetings, pushing through rehearsals, pretending that nothing was wrong, but the moment you were alone in your room, the weight of it all became unbearable.

You curled up on your bed, pressing your face into your pillow as silent tears streamed down your cheeks.

This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

You had always known being an idol meant sacrificing a normal life. You had accepted that. But now, it felt like you were losing everything, your career, your relationship, your sense of security piece by piece.

A soft knock on your door startled you.

“Hey,” Jinae’s voice came through the door. “Can I come in?”

You wiped your face quickly, sitting up. “Yeah.”

She opened the door gently, stepping inside and closing it behind her. She didn’t say anything at first, just sat down beside you on the bed.

“You don’t have to keep it all in,” she said quietly.

The dam broke.

You turned to her, burying your face into her shoulder as you sobbed. She didn’t say anything, just wrapped her arms around you, holding you tightly as you cried.

When you finally calmed down, she pulled away slightly, brushing some hair out of your face.

“I know you don’t want to hear this,” she said, “but you need to talk to him.”

You tensed. “Jinae—”

“I’m not saying to forgive him,” she interrupted. “But you need answers.”

You swallowed hard. Deep down, you knew she was right.

You couldn’t avoid Jeongin forever.

And whether you liked it or not, you still loved him.

You just didn’t know if that was enough anymore.

Jinae didn’t say much after that. She just gave your hand a light squeeze and stood, telling you softly that she’d be right outside if you needed her. You nodded, still clutching your pillow, your chest aching in that specific way grief and betrayal seem to carve into your ribs.

Once the door clicked shut, the room felt too quiet. Too still. It was just you and your heartbeat pounding against the inside of your throat.

With a shaky breath, you reached for your phone. Your hand hovered over his name, still blocked.

You stared at it for a long time.

Then, with one swipe, you unblocked him. And before your brain could catch up to what your heart had already decided, you hit call.

He answered on the first ring.

“Y/N—” his voice was sharp, panicked, breathless. “Why did you block me? I’ve been trying to reach you for days, I’ve—”

But you didn’t let him finish.

“I need to ask you something first,” you said. Your voice was raw, still hoarse from earlier tears, but there was a steel edge to it now. “Why did your team tell my company?”

Silence. Just the faintest sound of him exhaling on the other end.

You knew that silence. It was guilt.

“Jeongin,” you said again, quieter. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you come to me first?”

He finally answered. “It wasn’t supposed to happen like that,” he said, voice low, frustrated but more at himself than at you. “Chan—he freaked out when I told him. He’s been so stressed, and when I told him I was trying to keep it between us until we figured it out, he said I was being selfish. That I was risking everything.”

“So you told them,” you said, bitterness curling at the edges of your tone.

“I didn’t want to,” he said, quickly. “I had to. He made me tell management. I— I should’ve told you. I know. That’s why I lashed out on you the other night. I was already a mess, I didn’t know what to do and I took it out on you, and that was wrong.”

“You think?” you snapped, your voice cracking with the emotion you’d been holding back. “You called me annoying, Jeongin. After everything, I was scared, I was alone, and you made me feel like I was a burden.”

He went quiet again. You could hear his breath catching like he was pacing or shaking his head, angry at himself.

“I’m sorry,” he said, barely above a whisper. “I swear to you, I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean any of that. I was just scared. I still am.”

You wiped a tear before it could fall, swallowing the ache in your throat. “They’re putting me on hiatus,” you told him, voice hollow. “Starting soon. Over a year.”

The silence on his end cracked like thunder.

“What?” he whispered. “Already?”

You nodded, even though he couldn’t see it. “I didn’t really have a choice. They’re angry. But… they’re trying to protect me. Us.”

He didn’t speak for a long moment. You imagined him sitting down, running his hand through his hair the way he always did when he felt helpless.

“I don’t want you to go through this alone,” he finally said. “You and the baby… I should’ve been better. I should’ve fought harder for you, not against you.”

You sighed, pressing the back of your hand to your mouth as the tears fell again. “I don’t know if I can trust you right now.”

“I know,” he said. “But I’m going to fix that. I promise.”

You didn’t reply. You couldn’t. Because you wanted to believe him.

But part of you was still shattered.

So you stayed quiet as he whispered “I love you. And I love our baby. Please… just let me prove it.”

The silence that followed his words felt heavy, and you hated that it still stirred something soft in your chest, the way he said “I love you” like it wasn’t a question, like it was something that remained, no matter how messy things had gotten between you.

But you had to be honest.

“I hated that you shut me out,” you said, voice trembling but steady. “The second things got hard… you shut me out like I didn’t matter. Like we didn’t matter.”

There was a pause. You could hear a soft exhale from his side of the call, almost like he was bracing himself.

“I know,” Jeongin said quietly. “And you’re right. I did. I just… I didn’t know how to handle it. Everything happened so fast, Chan got scared, I panicked, I felt like I was being pulled in ten different directions. But that’s not an excuse. I should’ve come to you. I should’ve trusted you. I should’ve trusted us.”

You didn’t answer right away, your fingers gripping your phone tighter as his voice cracked just slightly on the last word.

“I’m sorry,” he added, and this time it sounded so sincere, so raw, you had to close your eyes. “Just… let me make it right. Let me prove to you that I can be better. That I want to be better. For you, and for the baby.”

A long breath escaped you, your shoulders sagging under the emotional weight you’d been carrying for days. “Okay,” you whispered. “Okay, Jeongin.”

You could hear the shift in him, like his body physically relaxed through the call. A little smile laced his voice when he said, “Thank you… really. Thank you. You have no idea how scared I’ve been. I missed you so much. How’s the baby?”

That question, gentle, hopeful, real made something stir inside you again. A different kind of ache. One that reminded you that this wasn’t just about pain and betrayal. There was still something beautiful in the center of all this chaos. A little life. A little piece of both of you.

“They’re okay,” you murmured, brushing your fingers lightly over your still-flat stomach. “I haven’t had a check-up since last week, but everything looked good. I’ve been eating more, resting when I can. The girls are spoiling me.”

He chuckled quietly, the sound familiar and warm. “Good. You deserve to be spoiled. Both of you.”

There was a small pause.

Then, you said it softly, hesitantly, unsure how it would land. “When the hiatus gets announced… I might be going home for a bit.”

The smile you heard in his voice faded almost instantly. “Home?” he repeated, and you could already hear the resistance in his tone. “Like, back to your parents’?”

“Yeah,” you admitted. “The company thinks it’s better if I’m away for a while. And honestly… I miss it. I need some space. Somewhere quiet. Familiar.”

“I get it,” he said slowly, but you could tell he didn’t like it. “But… that means I won’t see you. At all.”

You sighed. “That’s kind of the point, Jeongin. I need time. I need to think. And I need to be somewhere that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart.”

He was quiet, clearly trying to figure out how to respond without pushing too hard. “I want to be there for you,” he finally said, and there was a quiet desperation behind the words. “I know I messed up. But I want to be part of this, even if I have to earn back your trust. Even if I only get scraps of you for a while.”

“I’m not doing this to punish you,” you told him softly. “I just… I need to feel safe again. And right now, that means going home.”

He didn’t fight it. Not really. He just let out a small, broken sigh. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll wait. Just… keep texting me, okay? Updates about you. About them. Even if I can’t be there. Just let me know you’re okay.”

“I will,” you promised, and your heart ached again at the quiet hope in his voice.

The call ended gently this time. No harsh words. No slamming silence.

Just two people, scared and trying.

Trying to figure out how to stay whole while everything around them changed.

The past few days had felt like a blur. Everything was moving too fast, yet at the same time, it felt like you were wading through thick, heavy air, each step forward feeling heavier than the last. You knew this day was coming, but knowing didn’t make it easier.

Today, your company would announce your hiatus.

Even though you had agreed to it, even though you had accepted it as your best option, the reality of it hit differently now that it was here. Your group had worked so hard to get to where you were. You had dreamed of this for years, sacrificed so much, given every piece of yourself to this life. And now… you were stepping back.

It terrified you.

What if things changed while you were gone? What if the group went on without you and you came back only to feel like an outsider? What if the fans turned their backs on you? And worse, what if they never took you back?

The girls had been with you all morning, refusing to leave you alone as you refreshed your phone, waiting for the official statement to drop. Minsu had even stolen your phone at one point, forcing you to sit down and eat something while they all kept an eye on the internet for you. You appreciated them more than you could put into words. They had been your rock through this, never once making you feel like a burden, never once making you feel like you were going through this alone.

When the statement finally did go up, your heart practically stopped.

Your company had kept the announcement simple.

"Due to health-related concerns, Y/N will be taking an extended hiatus from all group activities. We deeply apologize to fans for the sudden news and ask for your understanding as she prioritizes her health and recovery. Thank you for your continued support."

That was it. No further details, no hints at the real reason, just a vague explanation that left everything open to speculation. Within minutes, the internet was ablaze with reactions. Fans were confused, some were worried, some were already coming up with wild theories. It was exactly what you had been dreading.

And then there was your statement, an apology letter written by you, reviewed by the company, and now posted for the world to see. You had rewritten it a dozen times before finally settling on something that felt like you. It wasn’t much, just a brief message apologizing to the fans, thanking them for their love and support, and asking them to wait for you.

You didn’t dare check the comments.

Instead, you sat there, your hands shaking, your breath uneven.

Minsu immediately reached for you, pulling you into a hug. “Hey, it’s okay,” she murmured. “We’re right here. We’re not going anywhere.”

Jinae sat down beside you, rubbing your back. “They’ll understand. And the ones who don’t? They were never really here for you in the first place.”

Chae nodded. “And besides, this isn’t forever. You will come back. And when you do, we’ll be right here waiting.”

You bit your lip, nodding as you blinked back tears. “I just… I hate leaving like this. I hate lying to them.”

Jinae squeezed your shoulder. “I know. But you’re not lying, okay? You do need this break. You do need to take care of yourself. And when you’re ready, you will tell your story. On your own terms.”

You exhaled shakily, nodding again. “Thank you,” you whispered.

The moment was interrupted by the buzz of your phone on the table. Minsu handed it back to you, and your heart skipped when you saw Jeongin’s name.

Jeongin: I just saw the announcement. Are you okay?

Jeongin: Call me if you need anything, okay?

You stared at the messages for a moment before typing back a quick, I’m okay. Just overwhelmed.

Almost instantly, the typing bubbles appeared.

Jeongin: I know. I wish I could be there with you.

Jeongin: Just say the word, and I’ll come.

You swallowed hard, fingers hesitating over your screen. You wanted to see him. You missed him. But you weren’t sure if you were ready for that yet.

Instead, you just typed, Not yet. But soon.

His response came immediately.

Jeongin: I’ll be waiting.

The first few weeks of your hiatus were strange. For years, your life had been nothing but rehearsals, performances, interviews, and constant movement. Every single day had been filled with something, training, traveling, promoting. You had barely had time to breathe, let alone do nothing.

But now, your days felt… empty.

The girls would wake up early and rush off to schedules, photoshoots, meetings while you stayed behind. At first, it felt like a much-needed break. You could sleep in, take long showers, eat at a normal pace instead of scarfing down meals between rehearsals. You caught up on dramas you had missed, scrolled through social media, and actually had time to sit and just exist.

But then, the boredom hit.

At first, you tried to keep yourself occupied reading, sketching, even attempting to write lyrics for fun. But there was only so much you could do when you were practically trapped inside. The company had strongly advised against going out too much. They didn’t want any risk of you being spotted, and more than that, they wanted to avoid any unnecessary speculation. That meant no public outings unless absolutely necessary, no random shopping trips, not even visiting family.

You understood why, but it was suffocating.

Most days, you were alone in the dorm. The silence was deafening.

The only thing keeping you sane were the calls.

Jeongin called you every night without fail. Sometimes he’d call during the day too, quick check-ins between his own schedules. He always asked how you were feeling, if you were eating well, if you needed anything. Some nights, he’d talk until you fell asleep, his voice the only comfort you had in the quiet.

“You must be so bored,” he said one night, chuckling softly over the phone.

“You have no idea,” you sighed. “I’ve been staring at the ceiling for an hour.”

Jeongin laughed. “I wish I could come over.”

“Me too,” you admitted.

There was a pause before he spoke again, softer this time. “Are you still feeling okay? Any nausea?”

“A little, but it’s manageable.”

“Are you craving anything? I can send something over.”

You smiled. “You already send me too much.”

“I like spoiling you,” he said, a little defensive. “Let me.”

You could practically hear the pout in his voice, and it made your heart ache. You missed him so much. The secrecy, the distance, it was starting to weigh on you.

The girls checked on you constantly too, sending messages throughout the day. If they had free time between schedules, they’d FaceTime you, making sure you weren’t completely losing your mind.

Minsu: What are you doing?

You: Laying down.

Minsu: AGAIN?!

You: What else am I supposed to do??

Minsu: Okay, new plan. I’m buying you puzzles or something. You need enrichment.

Jinae would bring back snacks for you after schedules, sometimes forcing you to sit with them while they ate so you wouldn’t be alone.

Chae started watching the same drama as you just so you’d have something to talk about.

They did everything they could to make you feel included, even when you weren’t physically there.

But still… it was hard.

Hard not to feel isolated. Hard not to feel like the world was moving on without you. Hard not to worry about the future.

How long would you be able to hide this? What would happen when the truth did come out?

And the biggest fear of all, would things ever really go back to normal?

Days turned into weeks, and soon, you found yourself slipping into a routine. Wake up, eat breakfast alone, scroll through your phone, maybe watch a drama or read something, take a nap, wait for the girls to return, talk to Jeongin at night, and then repeat.

It was monotonous, isolating, but at least predictable.

However, your body was changing.

At first, it wasn’t noticeable, just small things. You felt more exhausted, even though you weren’t doing anything strenuous. Some days, you’d wake up starving, and other days, the mere thought of food made your stomach churn. You caught yourself resting a hand on your belly absentmindedly, still struggling to grasp the reality that you were really pregnant.

But then, the real changes started.

Your clothes didn’t fit quite the same. Your favorite pair of jeans felt too tight, your stage outfits (that you still tried on for fun) didn’t zip up as easily. Even the girls noticed.

“You’re starting to show,” Chae said one evening as you stood in front of the mirror, tugging at the hem of your hoodie.

You sighed. “I know.”

Jinae walked up behind you, resting her chin on your shoulder. “You’re okay with that, right?”

You hesitated. “I don’t know…”

You knew the inevitable was coming. You couldn’t hide this forever. Your hiatus could only serve as a cover-up for so long before questions started piling up.

And then, of course, there was him.

Jeongin.

He had been great, supportive, reassuring, always checking in. But he was still an idol. He was still promoting, still going on schedules, still in the public eye. He could pretend like none of this affected him, but you knew it did.

And your worst fear? That, despite all his promises, he’d start to resent you for it.

One night, when the girls were still out at a schedule, Jeongin called you unexpectedly.

“Hey,” you answered softly.

“You sound tired,” he said. “You okay?”

You let out a small laugh. “I think I’m always tired now.”

He chuckled. “That’s normal, right?”

“That’s what they say.”

There was a beat of silence before he spoke again, this time quieter.

“I want to see you.”

Your heart clenched. “Jeongin, you know that’s risky.”

“I don’t care.”

You sighed. “I care.”

He groaned. “I just, being away from you this much is killing me. I don’t know how much longer I can take it.”

Your fingers tightened around the phone. You missed him too. So much. But what could you do? It wasn’t just about you two anymore.

“Just a little longer,” you whispered.

Jeongin didn’t respond right away. When he finally spoke again, his voice was softer, sadder.

“I don’t want to miss this,” he admitted. “Any of it. I want to be there.”

You felt tears prick your eyes. You knew he meant it. But you also knew that wanting something and being able to do something were two different things.

“Soon,” you whispered, more to yourself than him. “Soon.”

You weren’t sure if you were trying to convince him or yourself.

The night had started off quietly.

You and Chae were curled up on the couch, a fluffy blanket draped over both of you as you watched a movie. It was one you had already seen before, but neither of you really cared, it was just something to fill the silence, something comforting. Chae had been extra clingy with you lately, almost as if she could sense that you needed it. She would randomly hold your hand, rest her head on your shoulder, or link arms with you when you walked around the dorm.

Tonight was no different. She was snuggled up against your side, her head resting on your shoulder while you absentmindedly rubbed circles on the back of her hand. The warmth, the weight of her against you, it was nice. It made you feel less alone

You had barely thought about your phone call with Jeongin earlier. You had buried it deep in your mind, knowing that thinking about it too much would only make you feel worse. But then..

A knock at the door.

Chae lifted her head slightly. “That might be Jinhee. She said she’d stop by to drop off something the company got you.”

You hummed in response, standing up and stretching before making your way to the door. You didn’t even hesitate before unlocking it and pulling it open.

And that’s when you saw him.

A man in all black, hood pulled up, mask covering his face, hands reaching out..

You screamed.

Chae shot up from the couch, panic flashing across her face as she rushed toward you. But then

“It’s me!”

You froze.

That voice, deep, familiar, warm.

Jeongin.

Before you could even fully process what was happening, he pushed himself inside, shutting the door quickly behind him and pulling down his mask and hat.

You smacked his chest hard.

“What the hellare you doing?!” you hissed. “You scared me half to death!”

Jeongin winced, rubbing the spot where you hit him. “Okay, ow—first of all, I did try to warn you, but you screamed too fast.”

Chae, who had been standing frozen in shock, finally snapped out of it. “Jeongin?! Are you insane?!”

He gave her an apologetic look before turning his attention back to you.

You were still fuming. “You cannot just show up like this! Do you know how risky this is?! What if someone saw you?!”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I was careful. No one saw me.”

“That’s not the point!”

“I had to see you,” he said, eyes searching yours. “I couldn’t just sit around anymore.”

Your breath hitched. The raw emotion in his voice, the desperation, it made your heart ache.

Chae, sensing the tension, cleared her throat. “I… should probably go to my room.”

You turned to her, still flustered. “Chae, you don’t have to—”

“I should,” she said, giving you a knowing look before walking past you. But as she did, she whispered, “Just don’t be too loud, okay?”

Your jaw dropped. “Chae!”

Jeongin chuckled under his breath as Chae disappeared into her room, leaving the two of you alone.

You sighed, rubbing your temples before looking back at him. “You are so reckless.”

His expression softened. “I know.”

Silence settled between you. Now that the initial panic had worn off, all that was left was the overwhelming need to be near him. To touch him, hold him, feel him after weeks of nothing but phone calls and longing.

Jeongin must have felt it too because, in the next second, he was stepping closer, arms wrapping around you tightly, pulling you into his chest.

And just like that, you melted.

You buried your face into his hoodie, inhaling the familiar scent of him warm, fresh, safe. His hands ran soothingly up and down your back, holding you like he was afraid you’d slip away if he let go.

“I missed you,” he murmured into your hair.

Your fingers gripped his hoodie tighter. “I missed you too.”

More than you could even put into words.

The warmth of Jeongin's hand on your belly startled you for a moment, but it was a comforting surprise. His fingers brushed gently over the curve that was just beginning to show, the faintest outline of a baby bump that was slowly becoming impossible to hide. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head, his lips lingering a moment longer as if he never wanted to pull away.

“I know this is scary,” you trailed off, not sure how to express everything running through your mind.

Jeongin laughed softly, the sound lifting some of the heaviness from the room. “We’ll get through it. Together.” He pulled you in again, wrapping his arms around you in a tight embrace. You melted into him, letting yourself feel safe, even if just for a moment.

You leaned against him, both of you sinking back into the couch together. His arms enveloped you like a shield from everything you were worried about the company, the fans, the possible backlash. For now, in his arms, you were allowed to forget about it all, just focusing on the warmth between you.

“What have you been doing all day?” he asked, his voice soft but full of concern.

“Honestly? Just… being bored,” you admitted, resting your head on his shoulder. “I don’t have anything to do anymore. No schedules, no rehearsals… Just sitting here, waiting for time to pass.”

He chuckled. “Sounds like torture.”

You nodded, feeling a little sad. The reality of the hiatus was starting to sink in, and the boredom that followed was nothing like you’d expected. It wasn’t peaceful, it was suffocating.

The two of you stayed like that, just cuddling, letting the quiet of the moment settle around you. You didn’t speak much; it wasn’t necessary. The simple act of being close to him, feeling his presence, was more than enough.

But then, you heard the sound of a key turning in the lock. You didn’t think much of it at first, probably Jinae coming back from the studio a little later than usual. However, when the door swung open and the soft click of heels followed, you immediately knew it wasn’t just her.

Jinae entered first, Jinhee followed closely behind her, her expression unreadable but not necessarily friendly.

The moment you saw her, you immediately jumped to your feet, pushing Jeongin away from you in panic. He stood up quickly as well, his eyes flicking to yours, a mixture of confusion and concern on his face.

Jinhee wasted no time. “What is this?” she asked, voice sharp. “Jeongin, you shouldn’t be here at all.”

Jeongin opened his mouth to speak, but Jinhee cut him off immediately. “No.” She shook her head, her gaze hardening. “You need to go. Now.”

Jeongin hesitated, looking at you as if searching for your permission. You bit your lip, not wanting to make it harder for him but knowing you didn’t have a choice. He had to leave. You nodded, your throat tightening, and though he didn’t want to, he respected your silent decision.

“Alright,” Jeongin muttered quietly, his voice thick with disappointment. He walked towards the door, but before leaving, he paused and glanced back at you. “I’ll… call you later, okay?”

You didn’t trust yourself to say anything, so you simply nodded, giving him a small, forced smile. Your chest felt heavy as you watched him leave, the door clicking shut behind him.

Jinhee turned to you, a disappointed look on her face. “You knew better than this. I don’t care if you’re lonely or if he’s the only one who makes you feel better. You have to think about the bigger picture.”

You couldn’t argue with her, but it stung more than you expected. You were trying to keep everything together, trying to follow the rules, but it was harder than anyone understood. You nodded apologetically, the weight of the situation pressing down on you.

Jinhee didn’t seem to want to lecture you more. She handed you a small, neatly wrapped package. “This is from the company. For you and the baby.” Her tone softened just slightly as she added, “You’ll get through this. Just… take care of yourself.”

You took the gift from her, your fingers trembling slightly. “Thank you,” you said, your voice barely a whisper. She gave you a curt nod before turning to leave, the door closing quietly behind her.

You stood in the middle of the room for a long moment, staring at the gift in your hands but not really seeing it. Your mind was on Jeongin. On the way he looked when he left. You hated that you had to let him go like that, even though you knew it was necessary. You had to be smart. You couldn’t risk anything right now.

You excused yourself early that evening, retreating to your room under the pretense of needing rest. But, in truth, you just wanted to be alone. You didn’t want to talk to anyone.

Soon, your phone buzzed.

It was Jeongin.

You picked it up immediately, despite the heaviness in your chest.

“Hey,” his voice came through, soft but filled with concern. “I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to make things harder for you.”

You sniffled, sitting on your bed as you responded, “It’s not your fault. I just… I don’t know what to do anymore. Everything is just…”

“Stressful?” he finished for you.

You nodded, though he couldn’t see it. “Yeah. It’s just been so much, and I’m not sure I’m handling it very well.”

“I hate seeing you suffer like this,” he said, his voice full of empathy. “I can’t stand it. You don’t deserve any of this.”

“I don’t know what I deserve anymore,” you replied softly, the tears starting to sting your eyes again.

“Hey,” he said firmly, “you deserve so much. You deserve to be happy. And I promise, we’ll figure this out. You and me, together. Just like we always have.”

You swallowed hard, the tightness in your throat almost too much to bear. “I hope so.”

“I’ll make sure you’re okay,” he assured you. “You’re not alone in this.”

“I know. I just need you to be patient with me. I’ll figure it out, but… it’s going to take some time.”

“I’ll wait. For as long as it takes.”

You closed your eyes at his words, feeling a bittersweet warmth settle in your chest. You didn’t have all the answers, and the path ahead was far from clear. But with Jeongin by your side, you were starting to believe that, maybe, just maybe, things would be okay.

For now, that was enough.

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[fs taglist: @laine2353 @emilyywhyy @d3kstar @lenfilms..]

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godslino · 1 year ago

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2:45a.m. | minho established relationship. fluff. dad!minho.

pairing: minho x fem!reader word count: 2.5k summary: when a storm hits, minho makes sure your daughter is able to fall back asleep

· · · ♡ masterlist · · · ♡ taglist · · · ♡

You’re not sure what wakes you first: the crack of thunder or the resulting cry.

Your entire body jolts, the room painted in a flash of white that disappears just as quickly as it came. The weather report had stated that there would be a storm, however ones this bad were uncommon, especially in Seoul.

Another cry. It crackles through the baby monitor on the nightstand at the same time it echoes off of the walls of the other room. You move to kick the covers off when an arm stops you, warm and heavy where it’s thrown over your waist. You instantly relax into the touch, sighing when the tip of a nose brushes against the shell of your ear.

“I got her,” Minho mumbles, his voice raspy with sleep.

“It’s okay. You have an early morning, I can do it.” You argue, but make no move to get up.

Minho doesn’t respond, instead he knocks a kiss to your temple and tightens the blanket around you once he’s out of bed. You hear the soft pads of his feet against the floor and crack one eye open just in time to see him slip out of the room, his voice floating into the hallway, ‘Uh oh, what happened to the princess?’

The way the crying stops almost immediately is proof enough that it was a good thing Minho went in place of you. Seola is a fussy baby; she cries loud and wants incessantly—more than the usual ten month old. She can’t go anywhere without her elephant binky and hates wearing hats, if she doesn’t like a food she’ll snap her lips shut and turn her head until her face is pressed into the back of the high chair, when she’s angry she shakes a tiny fist in your direction and pounds it against your arm. But perhaps the most difficult thing, the one that has you wanting to pull your hair out most of the time, is that sometimes the only way to calm her down is if Minho is the one to do it.

A part of you always knew that your baby would favor Minho, as funny as it sounds. When you first got pregnant, one of the things the two of you were most excited for was being able to feel the baby kicking. Minho sang to your belly every night after you first broke the news, even as you laughed and told him that he or she didn’t have ears yet.

“So?” he questioned, glaring at you from where he had his head pressed against the bare skin of your stomach.

“You also know you don’t have to lift my shirt up, right?”

“Yeah? Well then I can’t do this,” he’d said before blowing a raspberry straight onto your belly button. His laughter then quickly turned into a string of apologies as he came to the realization that the sound might have been too loud, his hand rubbing soothing circles along the lower part of your stomach while you watched with fond eyes.

Minho never missed a night. He made sure that he was always home before you went to bed when he could be, oftentimes fighting with his manager to be let out early or skip practice entirely, promising to show up early the next day and put in the work on his own time. On the nights where he couldn’t make it or the two of you were separated by distance that made him want to give it all up, he called and made you press the speaker into your gradually hardening baby bump.

You and Minho found out that you were having a girl on the day of the first snow. The two of you watched with tear-filled eyes as the ultrasound technician pointed to the monitor in excitement, her smile detectable even beneath the mask she had covering her face.

“Congratulations! It’s a girl!”

Minho called his mom first. Her shouts of joy were so loud that he had to hold the phone away from his ear, his smile the brightest that you’d ever seen. Pride. He was so proud of his little family that he thought his heart might burst.

You called your parents next, and Minho held the phone up so that the two of you could give them the news through the camera, his free hand squeezing yours tightly as you cried and told them that you couldn’t wait for them to come visit once the baby came.

The members were last, all seven of them piled on top of one another on the couch in the practice room, Hyunjin and Changbin fighting over the fact that ‘I can’t see, asshole!’ and ‘You’re tall enough just stand in the back!’

Finding out the gender of the baby made everything more real. Bows and dresses and frilly socks—every time Minho came back to the apartment he had a shopping bag hanging from his arm. He spent most of the time on his phone looking at baby things and stuff that was completely unnecessary.

“What about this?” he asked, pointing his phone down to where your head was resting in his lap.

“Minho,” you scolded, glancing up at him with furrowed eyebrows, “I am not buying a booger straw for the baby.”

“It’s not a booger straw—”

“That is one hundred percent a booger straw. You literally have to suck the boogers out of their nose. Can’t we just buy a nasal suction like normal people?”

“What if it’s not efficient enough? I hate when my nose is stuffy, what more our baby? She won’t even be able to communicate with us, I feel so bad for her.”

“Oh God,” you groaned, dramatically throwing an arm over your face as Minho continued to explain in thorough detail why a booger straw was a necessity in that very moment, even though your due date was still months away.

As time passed and your stomach grew, so did the nerves Minho had about not being present enough. With the nature of his career, it was hard for him to not feel like he wasn’t excessively absent most of the time. Stress took a toll on him, mentally and physically. It wore him thin until the circles under his eyes were the worst you’d ever seen and his mornings couldn’t start without a mandatory dosage of ibuprofen to dull the headache he had the minute he woke up.

Minho was doubtful. He had dreams that his daughter wouldn’t know who he was and that his moments with her would be spent through a phone call rather than with his arms wrapped around her tiny body. He felt like he had already failed a million times without ever even having the chance to prove himself.

On the night the baby kicked for the first time, Minho came home late.

Pregnancy fatigue had taken its toll on you that day. You’d remained in bed, too nauseated to move and aching throughout the entire expanse of your back. Minho worried the moment he woke up, but you’d urged him that you were okay and sent him on his way to the company, practically begging him to leave rather than to deal with another earful from his manager about absences. Luckily for you, his mom was able to come over, and you let her dote on you as well as cook and clean as much as she pleased.

You’d fallen asleep early, your stomach full of homemade food and blankets freshly washed, leaving Minho in a frazzled state because you hadn’t picked up his calls for his nightly belly-singing session. To top it all off, dance practice ran late because of a last minute formation change that needed to be perfected before the next day’s performance.

When he finally made it home, Minho booked it to the bedroom, dropping to his knees next to the bed to place his hands on your stomach as you slept peacefully on your side, your head tucked into the crook of your elbow.

Sometimes, unbeknownst to you, Minho would wake in the middle of the night and talk to your stomach, talk to the baby. It was a little self-indulgent, some alone time for him to speak all of his worries, fears, hopes, and dreams out into the world. That night, it was just them again. Just Minho and the baby.

“I’m home,” he’d said quietly, rubbing soft circles into the material of your shirt, “Daddy’s sorry he’s late. It’s snowing outside, so I couldn't drive too fast.” He waited a few seconds before starting to sing, his voice soft, quiet enough that he wouldn’t wake you up:

펄, 펄, 눈이 옵니다

peol, peol, the snow is falling

하늘에서 눈이 옵니다

the snow is falling from the sky

하늘 나라 선녀님들이

the heavenly seonyeos

송이 송이 하얀 솜을

the white cotton

자꾸 자꾸 뿌려 줍니다

it keeps sprinkling

Minho had moved forward once he was done, resting his cheek against your stomach as gently as possible. He let his eyes focus on the snow falling outside the window, the city covered in a thin blanket of white.

“You’re gonna need a name soon, huh?” he asked, lightly drumming his fingers against your belly. “We found out you were a girl on the first snow, did you know that? My little snow girl. My—wait. Seola means snow girl. That’s pretty, right? Do you like that?”

Minho, not expecting a response, nearly screamed when he felt the softest of thumps against the skin of your stomach, just beneath the palm of his hand.

“What—” Kick.

“B-Babe.” He said, louder this time, sitting up straight to stare at your stomach with wide eyes. You stirred awake, shifting slightly to crack an eye open.

“Minho? You’re home? What are you—”

“Has she been kicking?”

You shook your head, pushing yourself up to rest your back against the headboard. “No, of course not, I would’ve told you if she did. Why? Did something—” You were cut off by the strongest kick yet, your hand flying to your stomach.

“Seola.” Minho had said again, his voice cracking halfway through when another kick came before he could even finish speaking.

From that moment on, Minho knew in his heart that your daughter’s name was always meant to be Seola. He’d talk endlessly about how he would always treat the first snow of the year like a second birthday, and he’d always make it a point to say her name whenever he was talking or singing to your belly.

Much like now, with his back turned to you, Minho’s voice is still as gentle as ever.

“Sometimes when the air is angry it makes electricity,” he says, swaying back and forth as Seola rests her cheek against his shoulder. Her eyes are droopy, heavy with sleep as Minho talks to soothe her back to bed. “And then the lightning makes the air really really hot, and it goes boom.” He pats her back a few times, shushing her when she brings a fist up to her face to rub it angrily. He hums a soft melody, something nonsensical, quiet enough to lull her to sleep but also loud enough to overpower the sound of heavy rain hitting the window.

You watch as he lays her back in her crib, black hair fanned out around her head as he places a warm hand on her stomach to keep some added weight on her body until he’s certain she’s sleeping deeply.

“Oh look,” you say from the doorway, making him jump, “You bored her back to sleep.”

Minho laughs, light and airy, walking over to wrap his arms around you and rest his cheek against your head.

“Jealous that she likes my voice more?”

Minho’s voice, still deep with sleep, rumbles beneath his chest, right where you have your face pressed into it. You take a deep breath, inhaling him as best as you can, his cologne mixing with the smell of baby powder and Seola’s soap.

“No, I just wish you would come back to bed now and bore me to sleep too.”

A hand runs up and down your back, Minho’s adam's apple bobs when he swallows too hard. “I wouldn’t have to if you stayed there like I told you to.”

“I just wanted to check on you,” you sigh, “Also it’s nice to see the two of you together. I don’t get to see it a lot, y’know?”

Minho stills on his feet, and you pull back in time to catch the ghost of a frown on his face.

“Sorry,” he says quietly, “I know. I’m—fuck, I have to be gone tomorrow too.” He runs a hand through his hair, and you can practically see the guilt worming its way into his head.

Determined to stop the inevitable self-loathing, you bring your hands up to cup his face, your thumbs running gently along the corners of his mouth. He melts into the touch immediately, closing his eyes and exhaling out of his nose.

“That’s not what I meant. I just like to cherish the time we have when all three of us are together, that’s all. This isn’t a ‘you versus me’ thing, okay? This is me and you making do with what we have.”

“Yeah,” he nods, “Yeah I know. Me and you.”

“Always.” You smile, leaning up to press your lips together.

With the thunder no longer rumbling overhead and the rain lighter than it had been earlier, you and Minho deem it safe enough to retreat into your bedroom without running the risk of Seola being woken up again.

“Do you want me to explain the force of gravity?” He whispers, playful but weak where his fatigue is starting to seep into his bones.

You laugh and tuck your face into his neck, his arms tightening around you on instinct. When you don’t answer, he knows that he doesn’t have to speak for you to drift off to sleep; knows that no matter what you’ll always be at home tucked into his side, and eventually lets sleep overtake him too.

When morning hits the sky is cloudy and the room is painted in a pale gray. The spot next to you is cold, sheets still tousled from sleep where Minho had been. You frown, glancing at the baby monitor on the nightstand that’s oddly quiet. It’s not normal for you to wake without the sounds of Seola beating your internal clock to it.

Your confusion only grows when you step into the hallway, the sounds of light snoring drifting out from the nursery. When you breach the doorway, you stop short, your heart doubling in size at the sight before you.

Minho is there, slumped against the side of the crib, his head leaning on one of the slats of wood and his arm shoved through the gap, Seola’s hand wrapped tightly around his finger. He must’ve gotten worried at some point in the night, scared that the rain would wake her again.

You inch forward to kneel beside him, running a hand through his hair and smiling when the touch makes his nose twitch. Seola’s own does the same when she sleeps, a little mole on the tip of her right nostril, just like her dad has on his left nostril. A direct reflection of one another; of love in its purest form.

On the floor beside him, Minho’s phone lays open:

To: Chan [2:45a.m.]

I won’t be in later

Find a way to manage without me

#lee know x reader #lee know fluff #lee know angst #skz x reader #skz fluff #skz angst #lee know fanfic #lee know fanfiction #lee know fic #skz fanfic #skz fanfiction #skz fic #stray kids fic #stray kids fanfic #stray kids fanfiction #dad lee know #lee know as a dad #dad!minho #dad!leeknow

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