Work Text:
The dog barking in the corner was starting to annoy Wooyoung. Beside him, a lady and her cat kept jostling his arm every time the cat squirmed in her grasp.
“For Mars?”
“That would be me.”
Wooyoung couldn’t be more thankful that the vet chose that moment to call his name. Well, not his name, but his bunny’s name.
“Is Mars doing okay?”
When Wooyoung had been on his way home last night, he’d stumbled upon the little bunny rabbit in an alley, looking so distinctly out of place that Wooyoung couldn’t just walk past. Wooyoung scooped them up in his arms and took them home, promising the little bunny they’d go to the vet in the morning.
“Yes, Mars and their litter are just fine.”
“Litter?”
“Mars will be giving birth to bunnies soon. I’d say they’re about two months pregnant.”
He left with a date for another check up in two weeks.
Admittedly, when Wooyoung rescued Mars, he’d already made up his mind about keeping them. The news that Mars was carrying a litter did little to deter that fact. So, Wooyoung gathered the bunny in his arms and brought them home.
He scoured the internet for tips on caring for a pregnant bunny, jotting some things down in his notes app before going toward the kitchen. He pulled out a head of romaine lettuce, ripping off a few leaves to give to his bunny. Mars ate them with enthusiasm, little nose twitching every once in a while as they were fed. Wooyoung cooed.
That night, Wooyoung slept with his new bunny cuddled to his chest.
Owning a pet was hard work, but Wooyoung wouldn’t complain. Not when Mars was the most adorable little bunny he ever did see. He was constantly snapping photos of the bunny when he thought they were being cute. And that was all the time. He had photos of Mars sleeping, Mars sitting, Mars eating. Anything and everything, he had a picture for it.
He even had selfies with Mars, those being sent to his best friend Yeosang periodically throughout the day. His best friend would grumble about being spammed, but ultimately, he agreed with Wooyoung. Mars was the cutest bunny in existence.
One morning, Wooyoung woke up feeling more weighed down than usual. Since having gotten Mars, the bunny had put on some weight, being pregnant and all. But it wasn’t that noticeable, Not really. So why did they suddenly feel so heavy?
He popped one eye open, quickly opening the other when he saw what was on his lap. Or rather who. Black hair atop a very human head. He shrieked.
His piercing scream woke the man sprawled on top of him. He raised his head to Wooyoung, innocent eyes wide in question. Wooyoung was sure he mirrored him.
Then, something was dipping into his line of sight. Wooyoung focused on the furry thing obstructing his view. A bunny ear. White and fluffy. Wooyoung inhaled sharply.
“What have you done with Mars?!” he yelled.
The bunny ears flopped down at his loud questioning, guilt swirling inside Wooyoung. He hadn’t meant to be so harsh. Especially when the man in his arms looked helpless. Frightened even.
“Where’s Mars?” he repeated.
“Um-um,” He couldn’t meet Wooyoung’s eye. “Um…”
Wooyoung fought to sit up, pushing at the man’s shoulders to get him to sit in front of him. When he managed to put enough distance between them, he noticed the round belly.
“You’re pregnant.” One of the man’s hands wrapped around his belly.
Wooyoung might actually faint. “I need a drink.”
The saying that it was five o’clock somewhere did not apply to Wooyoung when he meandered his way to the kitchen. He brewed a pot of tea instead, rationalizing that, while being drunk might make this situation less bizarre, it would not change the fact that there was still a very pregnant man in his home and a bunny still missing from his care.
He returned to his room with a fresh cup of chamomile—two cups because he wasn’t actually a terrible host—handing the second mug to the pretty man. Yes, pretty. Wooyoung had eyes. The man was drop dead gorgeous, looking ridiculously like a model tangled in his white sheets.
“Let’s start from the beginning,” proposed Wooyoung. “Who are you?”
The man shrunk in on himself, tea precariously sloshing as he clutched it to his chest.
“My name is Seonghwa, but you call me Mars.”
“Mars? As in my bunny Mars?” Seonghwa nodded. “Does this mean what I think it means?”
“I’m a shifter.” admitted Seonghwa, settling his hands over his lap. “I have a human and animal form.”
“You mean to tell me the bunny I picked up the other night was you? You’re Mars.” Another nod. “Unbelievable.”
“It’s true! I c-could show you.”
Seonghwa placed the cup of tea on the nightstand, drawing Wooyoung’s attention away for a minute. When his eyes landed back on his bed, he was amazed to find Mars settled over the covers. He blinked and Seonghwa returned, nervous hands on his round belly as Wooyoung continued to stare.
“Wow…”
“I’m sorry for not telling you right away!” Seonghwa’s head was still hung in shame. “I was worried about what you might do if you found out.”
“Why reveal yourself now?”
“I knew I could trust you.” That was an arrow through Wooyoung’s heart.
Trust. This bunny shifter trusted him. He needed to sit down.
Seonghwa’s hands landed on his arm. “You don't have to let me stay—”
“I wouldn’t force you out. Not like this.”
The bunny shifter nodded. “Because I'm carrying kits you'll let me stay?”
“The thought of you leaving has never crossed my mind.” It was so unbelievably honest of Wooyoung to say. He had a hard time breathing. “We should have breakfast. I bet you're starving.”
Feeding another human should not be this hard.
“What do you like to eat?”
“Vegetables. Carrots and lettuce are my favorite.”
A salad then. Wooyoung could make a salad. He cut up romaine lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, tossed it all together and placed it in front of the bunny-turned-human.
Seonghwa seemed ecstatic to be eating so many vegetables, eyes sparkling as he devoured his share. Wooyoung dressed his salad up with olive oil and cheese, struggling through it as his preference for food leaned more carnivorous.
Seonghwa’s nose twitched in that way Wooyoung had seen Mars do and he was instantly endeared, fighting with the urge to touch and pinch. Not that Mars had ever minded, but this was Seonghwa now. He figured he should hold back on the coddling.
“What were you doing out in the alley, anyway?” The bunny ears went limp again and Wooyoung frowned when Seonghwa struggled to respond. “You don’t have to tell me, really. I overstepped.” He swerved topics. “What other foods do you like? I’ll make a grocery list.”
While at the grocery store, Wooyoung couldn’t help but stare at the pregnant woman standing a few feet away from him in the aisle. She was stuck between two brands of cereals, going back and forth between the boxes in her hands. A man materialized beside her, taking the sugary cereal out of her hands. “Think of the baby,” he said, taking the bran cereal and tossing it into her cart. Their cart. She smiled.
For a brief moment, Wooyoung pictured him and Seonghwa in their shoes. Seonghwa with his round belly, dressed in his big sweaters, dark hair falling into his eyes as he fretted over snacks for them. His heart staggered, one of his hands reaching out to the shelf to steady himself.
He felt so unprepared. With Mars, it was easy. Easy to think that when these babies came he'd have a frolic of little bunnies to play with and love. Now Mars was Seonghwa and he wondered what that meant for the litter Seonghwa carried. If they would come out half human like their mother counterpart. He crouched down in the middle of the aisle in a mild panic, fretting over this turn of events.
Just last night he had a put a bunny to bed. Yet waiting at home was a person, human—no, shifter. Pregnant, at that. He gulped.
"Excuse me?"
Wooyoung looked up to see the man from a earlier, the one accompanying the soon-to-be mother. His eyebrows were furrowed in concern. "Do you need help?"
Wooyoung needed more than help.
Somehow, he made it through his shopping trip. Not without a few stares, including the couple who so gratefully came to his aid when he explained his troubles. Of course he omitted a few details, but the couple seemed eager to help, the wife offering a list of things she was buying for herself. The husband chimed in with good-natured comments, reminding them both to keep away from too much sugar. When the wife laughed, Wooyoung found his own smile forming, realizing this wasn't so bad. He might be able to pull this off.
He arrived back at his house with armfuls of bags, more than just the groceries he'd set out to buy. Seonghwa peeked in from the kitchen, noticing the abundance of items now covering the living room floor.
"What's all this?"
So Wooyoung might have gotten carried away.
After leaving the grocery store, he'd searched up the nearest baby store, set on getting more than just food for the little things. He grabbed blankets and clothes and diapers and more, piling them high in a cart too small for all his finds. All of it now laid on his living room floor as he sorted through it, raising the cute little socks he found for Seonghwa to see.
"The lady at the store suggested these to keep their feet warm. I knew babies were small, but I didn't think they were this small!" he gushed, cradling the tiny socks in his hands.
Seonghwa was staring at him with what Wooyoung believed to be disbelief and he laughed as he put the tiny socks down. "Come help me with this. I have no idea what I'm doing." he admitted.
The bunny shifter hopped his way over to Wooyoung, kneeling beside him and the blankets. He picked one up with adoring eyes, hand grazing over the soft material.
"Seonghwa?"
"Can I tell you a secret?" Wooyoung blinked at him. "I don't know what I'm doing either." His gaze locked with Wooyoung's for a moment, before finding the floor again. "I'm scared."
"It's okay, you can be scared. I'm scared too."
Being a parent was a tough job. Wooyoung was hardly ready for that step in his life. However, having Seonghwa here, looking so hopeless, Wooyoung could be brave for both of them.
"What matters is that we have each other. We can learn together." Wooyoung assured. He took Seonghwa's hand when he saw him on the verge of tears. "I promise I'll be next to you every step of the way."
Despite his best efforts, the waterworks still came. Wooyoung brushed a few away with his thumb. "We can do this."
One thing Wooyoung forgot to do with this new chapter of life was tell his best friend. Yeosang appeared Friday afternoon with a takeaway bag from their favorite chicken place and convenience store beer. Wooyoung paled when he realized what day it was.
"Why do you look like you've just seen a ghost?" Yeosang pushed past him toward the kitchen. "Where's Mars? You haven't been sending your daily spam."
Since discovering Seonghwa's a shifter, he hadn't been keeping up with his photo streak, much more concerned with the health of his bunny and their kits. He was spending more time finding healthy recipes to cook online than taking a candid of Mars on the couch. Also, with the revelation, Seonghwa had spent more time in his human form. It didn't stop Wooyoung from snapping pictures, but it did keep him from sending them.
"Uh, well—"
"Wooyoung? Why is there a pregnant man in your living room?"
Too late.
He ran into the room to see Yeosang stood a few feet from the couch, Seonghwa clinging to a blanket as he met eyes with a stranger. The noise of his steps made one of Seonghwa's ears twitch, making the white appendage more obvious atop his head.
"Are those bunny ears?"
"I can explain—"
"Is this some weird roleplay you're into?" Yeosang threw at Wooyoung, arms coming to cross against his chest. "Why would you schedule a hook-up when you knew I was coming over?"
"It's not like that!" Wooyoung shouted. "He's a shifter."
Quiet. Then, "Jung Wooyoung, what have you gotten yourself into?!"
It took a few minutes to calm his best friend enough to sit him down. Even then, he wouldn't stop asking about a million questions, Wooyoung smacking the back of his head to get him to stop talking.
"So Seonghwa is Mars?"
"Yes."
"Wow." His attention went to Seonghwa again. "I mean, it makes sense. How else would you have pulled someone this stunning?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Wooyoung frowned.
"When was the last time you went out? Grocery shopping doesn't count!" Yeosang added quickly when he saw Wooyoung about to negate his claim. That kept his mouth shut. "Exactly my point."
"Remind me why I like you."
"I helped you kick your ex-boyfriend's ass when he stole your cast iron."
"Touché." He couldn't leave Yeosang to feel smug. "You were also the reason I dated that asshole."
"Ugh, and I will never live it down."
Wooyoung laughed. "It's whatever. He doesn't matter to me anymore."
A quiet sneeze reminded Wooyoung they weren't alone. "Are you cold, should I get you another blanket?"
"No, no. I'm fine." the bunny shifter promised.
That didn't stop Wooyoung from scooting closer, wrapping the blanket Seonghwa was still holding more tightly around the shifter's shoulders. He ran an absent hand through the bunny's black curls, smiling to himself because of those big innocent eyes. Yeosang's cough was what led his hand to fall, a bit of a flush reaching his cheeks when he realized what he'd been doing.
"Should I leave?"
"No! Hand over a beer." Yeosang tossed one to him. hesitating with the other one in his hand.
"I'd offer you one, but..." He motioned to the baby bump.
"I've got it." Wooyoung placated, going off to the kitchen and returning with a cup of something orange. "Carrot juice." he informed. "Seonghwa's favorite."
The bunny took it with smile. Yeosang would laugh at the irony if Wooyoung wasn't sending him a glare. He knew exactly what his best friend was thinking. He just grinned crazily at Wooyoung before busying himself with the TV remote.
They settled in for a movie, chicken shared between them while Seonghwa remained huddled in his blanket. Wooyoung sat in the middle. Seonghwa on his left. Yeosang on his right. He was being warmed from both sides, Yeosang in a mood to cuddle and Seonghwa gradually letting his weight fall were he sat. By then end, Seonghwa's head was on Wooyoung's shoulder, puffs of breath escaping his lips while he was fast asleep. The movie ended on a good note, Yeosang having chosen something light to watch. He was smiling when he switched it off, but Wooyoung was sure that smile was aimed at something else entirely.
"You've gone soft."
"I've always been soft."
"More so now." he commented, nodding his head to the sleeping bunny on his shoulder. "Taking in a pregnant shifter? Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?"
"Don't be like that."
"You know I'm only kidding." Yeosang rose to his feet. "You're sweet on him."
"He's going through a lot."
"Aren't you? Last I checked you were trying to figure your life out. I didn't think those plans included fathering children who were part bunny."
"Life likes to throw in surprises." Wooyoung shrugged, then immediately regretted it when he felt Seonghwa stir.
"Is the movie over?"
He was wiping at his eyes with sweater paws. An arrow straight into Wooyoung's weak heart.
"Yeah, bun. It is." Pink blossomed around the apples of Seonghwa's cheeks.
Wooyoung almost asked himself what for when he realized what he'd said. Oops. Well, couldn't take it back now. "Did you want to take a nap?"
"If that's okay? I'm still a little tired."
"Sure. Let me just walk Yeosang to the door—"
"No need! I can let myself out." He winked at Wooyoung. "Very nice meeting you Seonghwa! I hope I'll be seeing you again real soon."
He waved to the two still seated on the couch before heading out, the door shutting loudly behind him. In the silence of the house, Wooyoung found himself gulping.
It was stupid, really. Feeling shy. This was his house dammit. But Seonghwa was still tightly wrapped up in the blanket he'd fixed hours ago and his heart was beating a mile a minute inside his chest. He thought Seonghwa looked cute. He always looked cute. Right now, however, he was so stinkin' adorable, Wooyoung didn't know what to do with himself.
"Can I nap on your bed?"
"Yeah, yes, y-you can." Seonghwa grinned.
Honestly, for Wooyoung's sake more than Seonghwa's, he'd given the shifter his own room to sleep in once it was revealed he could take on a human form. Seonghwa never had any real complaints about it, but he would sometimes catch the bunny casting glances at his bedroom door, like he missed the times they'd slept together. Wooyoung didn't want to think about it.
Seonghwa let the blanket trail him like a cape as he made his way to Wooyoung's room. He pushed the door open with his hip, climbing into his bed like it was second nature. He supposed, in some ways, it was. Given how often he once slept on this bed. But now he had his own room. His own bed. Yet, watching him snuggle up against Wooyoung's sheets, the man decided this might be Seonghwa's favorite place. Wooyoung's scent wrapped around him, warm and cozy and leaving space behind him like he expected Wooyoung to climb in. While tempting, he didn't think it appropriate.
So Wooyoung nodded to himself, satisfied that his bunny would get sleep, before stepping back out into the hall to go clean the empty beer cans.
Things continued. Wooyoung took Mars to his next check-up, holding the bunny in his arms for the first time in a long time. Wooyoung had asked him if he'd wanted to visit a human doctor, but the shifter had shook his head.
"I wouldn't want to trouble you more than I already have."
Wooyoung thought it no trouble, to be honest. But rather than voicing it, he did as the bunny wanted. The vet told him Mars was getting along just fine, that Wooyoung was being a great rabbit dad. He tried not to cringe at the vet's wording. It was scary enough thinking of himself in any kind of parenting role.
When they made it back to the house, Wooyoung cooked them up varying meals. Something high in vegetables for Seonghwa and a hamburger for himself. They ate at the table and Wooyoung could see Seonghwa thinking hard about something, hardly touching his food.
"Everything okay?" he asked.
The bunny shifter abruptly put his spoon down. "Seongh—"
"I know you made this for me and I love it! I really do, but-but—" Oh no, here came the waterworks again. "I want strawberries!"
Wooyoung was stupefied. Seonghwa full on sobbed as he wiped at his leaking eyes, wearing the saddest frown Wooyoung had ever seen. He had no right looking this endearing when he was meant to be ugly crying. Wooyoung ugly cried. Seonghwa was shedding pearlescent tears, sonnets could be written about the way he broke into heaves. Distracted, he almost missed the fact that Seonghwa was standing from his chair.
"Hey, wait!" Wooyoung moved faster, stopping in front of the crying shifter before he could go too far. "I'm sorry. Don't leave."
"Why are you apologizing to me? I disrespected the meal you made for me—"
"No, you didn't." Wooyoung corrected. "You ate what you could, but the babies are craving something else, huh? Something sweet."
He cooed at the thought, ducking down to place a gentle hand on Seonghwa's extended stomach. "Are you giving Momma a hard time? Silly little kits, I'll get you your strawberries."
His hands shifted to better cradle the growing belly. This might be the first time Wooyoung did this. Touch Seonghwa's belly. He glanced up to see if it bothered the shifter, but Seonghwa was staring at him with those innocent eyes, mouth slightly parted. Wooyoung rushed to look away. That look stirred things in Wooyoung he'd rather not linger on.
Thankfully, the last time Wooyoung had gone to the store, he picked up strawberries. They were meant for a dessert he wanted to bake for his blog, but he decided he could spare a few for his bunny. He had cravings that needed to be met. He washed and destemmed them before tossing them in a bowl for Seonghwa to enjoy. The bunny shifter raised a tentative hand, like he wasn't yet ready to consume the one thing he'd asked for.
"Go on, bun. The kits are waiting." Seonghwa bit into a strawberry.
The sight of Seonghwa eating so heartily warmed Wooyoung, watching as he put one in whole after the first one. It startled a laugh out of him to see the bunny cheeks all puffed up like that. Seonghwa locked eyes with him.
"I'm not laughing at you, promise." His hands fisted at his sides, desperate to reach out and pinch his cheeks. "You're just so...cute."
Seonghwa turned red with the compliment, as red as the strawberries he was still shoveling into his mouth. Wooyoung laughed again.
Later that night, while Seonghwa was tucked away (in Wooyoung's bed again,) after Wooyoung had finished this week's post for his blog, an idea suddenly struck him.
Because Wooyoung worked from home, he rarely went out unless it was for errands. Those times he did leave, he always thought it better Seonghwa stay home, for his safety, and because Wooyoung didn't own a car. Public transportation was his mode of transport and he figured crowded places weren't the bunny shifter's speed. So Seonghwa never left the house.
But Wooyoung wanted to change that.
It wasn't like the bunny expressed the need to frolic or anything like that. Wooyoung had just been thinking about it lately, how boring the bunny shifter must be sometimes. Sitting around or watching television. While those things could be a dream for some, he didn't think the bunny liked staying put all day, especially when Wooyoung's attention was often directed on work related things. He figured a day dedicated to Seonghwa would be nice. For both of them.
He did a bit of research before settling his sights on an activity he thought the bunny shifter would enjoy. He checked the hours for the event, seeing their next open day was this weekend and excitedly scribbled it into his calendar. Just a few days and he'd give Seonghwa a nice surprise.
He stayed tight lipped until the night before, coaxing the bunny into bed a few hours before his usual bedtime, hinting at the possibility of something exciting that may be occurring tomorrow. Seonghwa was immediately on him, asking him what he meant and why he wouldn't just tell him. Wooyoung pretended to zip his lips for dramatic flare, putting a frown on his bunny's face.
"You'll like it, bun. I'm sure of it." he said when Seonghwa hadn't stopped pouting.
Seonghwa still pouted, but at least he let Wooyoung into bed. (Yes, they were sharing the bed now. Wooyoung couldn't resist those pleading eyes.)
The next morning, Wooyoung woke to the shaking of his arm, an overeager bunny ready for whatever it was Wooyoung had been so mysterious about the night before. He told Seonghwa he would have to get dressed since this event would take place outdoors and the bunny was up and out of bed in an instant, picking through Wooyoung's closet like it was his own. (It kind of was.)
Though Seonghwa did have clothes of his own. It became apparent Wooyoung's jeans and t-shirts would not be enough to dress a three month pregnant shifter. So Wooyoung pulled up his laptop, letting Seonghwa browse online for things he liked which Wooyoung would buy so he had more than oversize sweatshirts and sweatpants. The bunny was enamored with flowy garments, gravitating toward the "womens" tab a few times in their search. Wooyoung bought him two dresses because of it.
Today, however, Seonghwa chose a pair of black flowy pants, a short sleeved white button down, and a denim jacket. Wooyoung tried hard not stare, especially since Seonghwa had tied the ends up to avoid the belly. Wooyoung went for something similarly casual, a white band tee and khaki shorts. He laced up his sneakers before helping the shifter into chunky sandals, the two ready for a day out.
Worry settled once they were out the door, Wooyoung taking Seonghwa's hand in his as they made their way to the bus stop. There were a few people already waiting and they gave a curious glance when they spotted the shifter among them.
"Don't let go, okay?" Seonghwa nodded.
The bus was crowded when they stepped on, Wooyoung paying for them both before leading them toward the back. A younger boy with airpods in his ears stood when he saw the pregnant man coming, offering up his seat like a true gentleman. Wooyoung thanked him with a head nod, sitting Seonghwa down as he took hold of the bar above them. The bunny shifter frowned up at him.
"It's just for a little while." Wooyoung comforted, using his free hand to pet the top of Seonghwa's head.
The bunny shifter trilled in appreciation, ears twitching under Wooyoung's fingers. He smiled.
Eventually, Seonghwa's head landed against Wooyoung's stomach, the bunny already taking his afternoon snooze. Wooyoung chortled at the silly bunny, having been so eager this morning only to end up napping the entire ride there. A few times he was offered a seat, but he waved it away, allowing another to take it since his bunny was so soundly sleeping. He didn't want to wake him up.
An hour later, they neared their stop, Wooyoung gently coaxing the shifter awake. He blinked his big eyes at him, yawning cutely as he caught his bearings.
"We're almost there, bun. Wake up."
The bus came to a stop and Wooyoung took Seonghwa's hand again, helping him down the step and back onto solid ground. It was still a bit of a walk to get to where they were going, but the shifter didn't seem to mind, taking in the fresh breeze with a smile. When they neared the spot of land Wooyoung had seen in pictures online, he stopped Seonghwa just short of the entryway.
"I'm going to cover your eyes, is that okay?"
Seonghwa let him, having enough trust in his human to guide him there. Wooyoung waddled them both as close as he could to the open field, chatter from the others who were there for the same thing reaching his ears. He took one final step before officially announcing their arrival, slipping his hands away so Seonghwa could see where they were.
"It's-it's-a—"
"Strawberry field!"
Yes, Wooyoung had chosen strawberry picking for him and his bunny. Seeing how lovingly Seonghwa devoured strawberries made him want to buy more and what better place than a strawberry farm. The area they were stood by was bustling with young children already, overexcited little hands reaching for ripe, red strawberries. Wooyoung led them to a little stand where they offered woven baskets for them to carry their pickings. He handed it to Seonghwa, the shifter practically bouncing out of his skin to get started. Wooyoung let him have at it.
It was more fun to watch than participate, eyes following Seonghwa as he poked around for the biggest and best strawberries he could find. Some of the children from earlier would dart through their legs, catching sight of Seonghwa's bunny ears and asking to touch. Wooyoung would tell him he didn't have to say yes to every kid that came begging, but Seonghwa dismissed his concern, bending down to their level to make it easer to reach.
Every once in a while the sight of Seonghwa with a child would flood Wooyoung's head with thoughts of their own children, tiny and adorable and looking every little bit like their Momma. He blinked.
Huh. Their children. It had a nice ring to it...
Wooyoung was knocked out of his daydream by one of the children slamming into his legs, raising arms up at him to be carried. He stumbled back in shock.
"You want me to carry you?" The kid nodded. Oh.
Carefully, this was someone else's kid he was handling, he lifted him off the ground, attaching him to his hip. The child leaned onto his shoulder, sucking his thumb into his mouth in content. He lingered on the kid for a few moments, watching his eyes struggle to stay awake. Minutes later, he was out, curled up against Wooyoung like he was his father or something.
He looked to Seonghwa for help, but the shifter was watching him with the most fondest of eyes... He couldn't help but be a bit proud.
He could be a good dad. He wanted to be.
It took a few minutes for a young woman to approach them, sagging in relief when she saw her son wasn't in great harm like she might have believed prior. She apologized to them for his son's extroverted nature, regaling them of other times the child had gone in search of others to hold him when he got tired. She took him gently from Wooyoung, bowing one last time before going on her way. Wooyoung chuckled under his breath.
"Wonder if our kids will be that troublesome."
He only realized he spoke when he heard Seonghwa's sharp intake of breath beside him and he turned, finding the shifter with a hand over his mouth. At first he raised an eyebrow, asking without words what it was that had him gasping. Then, it dawned on him. Shit, he'd said that out loud.
"Oh, uh, I shouldn't have just assumed like that."
"Did you mean it?"
"What?"
"Do you want them to be your kids?"
"I wouldn't be opposed...oof."
Seonghwa practically threw himself onto Wooyoung, trying and failing to hug him close. Wooyoung eased him down on the balls of his feet, not stopping the smile creeping up on his lips. He turned the shifter around, a noise of protest slipping out, but this way, back to chest, Wooyoung could tug Seonghwsa close. He settled his hands over the obstructing belly, nuzzling his nose into the space where Seonghwa's shoulder met his neck. Brave, he pressed a kiss there.
"I'll be their father, if you let me." he breathed, scared to speak louder than a whisper.
He'd given it so much thought. In the month that led them here. Back when Seonghwa was just Mars, he knew he would raise those kits. He wouldn't have the heart to part them. It made no difference now. With Mars as Seonghwa. He was having these children. And even if they weren't biologically his, he'd be their father. If Seonghwa let him.
"I would. I want you to be."
Seonghwa shook in his arms and Wooyoung held him tighter, pulling him impossibly closer to whisper reassurances in his ear.
He would be a great rabbit dad, just not in the way he originally planned.
"Yoojoon, please be nicer to your sister."
"Yoorie started it!" the young shifter yelled, huffing with his little fists as he chased after Yoorie.
"Nuh-uh."
"Uh-huh!"
"Is that fighting I hear?" Wooyoung chimed from the other room, peeking his head out from his office door. "What did we say about playing when Daddy is working?"
"No loud games." they sang in tandem.
"No loud games, so how about you two help your Momma out with the chores, hm? If you're good, maybe we'll go strawberry picking later."
"Strawberries!"
The twins ran off to their respective rooms, hopefully to clean, but Wooyoung could never be sure with those two.
"No fair. They listen to you better."
"It's because I'm fun." Wooyoung teased, leaning against the doorframe now that the two troublemakers were gone.
Seonghwa suddenly stood in front of him, leaning close to seal their lips in a quick kiss. "You're a natural."
"I have a kid brother." Seonghwa giggled. "Scheming is all I know."
Years had passed since that fateful day. After Wooyoung let his true intentions be known, Seonghwa shared something too. The story of how he got pregnant. Nothing near as bad as what Wooyoung had thought, but still not pretty either. He was inseminated, by a doctor who was curious about shifters like Seonghwa. Born male yet able to reproduce. He was running tests, not just on Seonghwa.
"There were others too. At least a dozen of us."
They'd gone willingly, signed waivers and everything. Seonghwa didn't have much in ways of riches. He thought there would be no harm joining. They offered housing and food, healthcare and other commodities. Then, just a week before Wooyoung had found him, the place was raided.
"The scientist had warned us there were people out there who wanted to exploit his research. He promised us we'd be safe."
What he hadn't accounted for was someone working on the inside. Someone he thought was dear to him turned his back on the scientist when the enemy invaded and the shifters were left to flee for their lives. Seonghwa had no idea where any of them went. They thought splitting up would be beneficial to them.
Wooyoung stumbled upon him days later, just when Seonghwa thought about giving up. "I had no where to go. But I wanted to have these kits. I wanted them to have life."
Wooyoung held Seonghwa through the night, afraid to let him go. He decided, in that moment, that he would be the best dad he could be. For Seonghwa's sake. For the children he wanted so desperately to bring to this world.
It was tough, Wooyoung won't lie. He was intimidated. But Yeosang steered him right back when he got off tangent, reminding his best friend that he was more than capable for this.
"Think of Kyungmin. You've got seven years of experience." Wooyoung would laugh into the receiver and feel a lot lighter.
Seonghwa's belly grew more in the months that followed, to the point where Wooyoung grew worried about Seonghwa even leaving the bed. At eight months, he was basically bedridden, allowed only to walk around if Wooyoung was by his side. They spent a lot of time in bed together (not like that!) (Maybe Wooyoung wouldn't have minded though...) (Seonghwa was waiting for Wooyoung, so.) At this point, the guest room was turned studio, Wooyoung spending editing days over there so Seonghwa couldn't distract him.
He had a bad habit of staring at his bunny when they were in the same room, entirely smitten by every little thing he did. He would always get so excited when the kits kicked, grabbing hold of Wooyoung's wrist and placing linked hands over the kicking. They'd lock eyes and share in the feeling, a moment Wooyoung wanted to forever ingrain in his mind. Soft spoken words and stupid smiles. Wooyoung was so in love.
How he only realized now was beyond him. It was clear to Yeosang that first day he came over. Clear to the doctors that delivered his kids. Clear to anyone praying witness to Wooyoung and Seonghwa together. He was head over heels in love.
He landed another kiss on his bunny. "Did you take it yet?"
"Not yet." He glanced to the hall where the kids' rooms were at, listening for a few seconds to make sure they were still okay. "Tonight? When we've put them to bed."
"Okay, whenever you're ready, bun."
(That night Wooyoung and Seonghwa waited in anticipation for the one minute the test required to be up to see what their future held.)
(Positive.)