Chapter Text
Kihyun sucked in a breath. Turning over to his best friend, tears glistening in his eyes. "What if Hyunwoo doesn't want a baby? W-what if he decides a divorce is the best option? Oh my god, I could be a single parent!” Minhyuk's eyes widened comically. A pregnant silence bestowed upon them before ruptured by a boisterous laughter. "This is NOT funny, Min. You're suppose to be acting like my best friend, not laughing at a genuine concern of mine!"
"Hyung, do you hear how silly you sound? Hyunwoo would have to be the dumbest person ever to leave you over this. He literally looks at you as if you hung the stars and the moon!" Minhyuk comforts a visibly-stressed Kihyun, rubbing his thumb in circles against the vocalist’s clammy hand. "Whatever happens today and here on out, I will always be here for you.”
Kihyun tearily laughs, playfully shoving at his best friend's shoulder. "It's now or never, Min. If it's positive, my life will be changed forever. My career, the group’s career will need to be put on halt. Hyunwoo will have to keep working overtime in order to pick up the pace. But sweet little Ji-yeonnie will have a playmate and a forever cousin to grow up with! And that means Changkyun cannot get rid of me, even if he tries!" Minhyuk rolled his eyes at the other's antics as he continuously rambled, the obvious nerves straining his ability to think clearly.
Kihyun and Minhyuk patiently waited for the timer to go off, busying themselves one the kitchen with preparations for dinner and cleaning up the dishes. Kihyun sighed heavily, massaging his temple with his hand. Minhyuk stopped what he was doing and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Everything is going to be okay, you need to stop fretting so much. Hyunwoo loves you. Remember how flustered he was to admit that he abhorred the idea of marriage and believed it was a piece of paper for the government?” Minhyuk starts, brushing a part of Kihyun’s hair behind his ear “Hyunwoo always pieced together his actions to ensure your happiness is intact. He thought long and hard about his decision once he saw how by saying that affected your emotional outcome during our last tour."
Kihyun winced harshly, regretful of his actions throughout the tour. Kihyun emotionally enclosed himself off from the others, especially Hyunwoo. Kihyun resorted in the comfort of practicing hours on end, perfecting the choreography and making excuses as to why he wasn't around. Though, that wasn't always the comfort he needed. During the morning, he effortlessly covered up his late night crying, plastering a bright smile and preparing the team for practice, despite giving Hyunwoo the cold shoulder when it involved anything but team interactions.
—————
Things came to a screeching halt during a random Thursday night. Changkyun's whined loudly, crocodile tears spilled over in emphasis of not being fed properly. Kihyun had no choice, folding against his beloved Maknae's distressing cries. In preparation for a proper home cooked meal, kicked everyone out of the minimal kitchen. Kihyun was so wrapped in chopping up vegetables and thoroughly washing the food, he failed to register the strong arms wrapping around his waist. Kihyun halted his chopping, his body tensing up visibly. Kihyun casted his glance to the floor, his behavior capricious, despite his relationship with Hyunwoo being filled with tender touches, encouraging words, and smiles reaching their eyes at any given moment. Kihyun bit his lip, tapping his foot as if that were his decision making mechanism to how he would react.
"Hey you. We haven't had much quality time together. It’s been two weeks since we had alone time." As soon as the words spilled from Hyunwoo, Kihyun felt his reserve breaking. He couldn't, he wouldn't allow Hyunwoo to revel in the layers he purposely made. And as if the circumstances weren't cohesive, Hyunwoo’s soft kisses trailed the nape of his neck and in close proximity of his shoulder blades. Kihyun's chest felt tight and his breathing shortened, a tingly sensation crawling up his skin. And the unthinkable happened- Kihyun drew back his arms and gave a short enough push, Hyunwoo moving an inch away from the perturbed male.
Kihyun maintained his composure to the best of his ability, his chest rising and falling irregularly as he glared angrily at the Hyunwoo’s perplexed expression. The tan male’s shoulders visibly sagged, his face dropping at his provoked boyfriend, absolutely having no idea what brought them to this point. Normally not one for confrontation, Hyunwoo awkwardly exited the room, leaving an internally fuming Kihyun standing in place.
Dinner was awkward. The tension between the couple was terse, disrupting the usually boisterous atmosphere. The members sent looks of confusion, eyebrows raised at the capricious behavior. Kihyun appeared reticent as he ate his food, his thoughts clouding his judgement. The words Hyunwoo said upon the topic of marriage playing repetitively.
Changkyun humphed loudly and pouted petulantly. Changkyun turned swiftly over to face his favorite Hyung. "Hyuuuuung, what has gotten into you? I complimented your food and you didn't gloat in the idea of your Maknae enjoying your food."
Kihyun looked up and sheepishly smiled, putting his fork down. "I'm a little in my head right now, I'm sorry KyunKyun. I didn't mean to ignore you. I'm happy that you are enjoying the food and being fed, unlike SOME people."
Hyunwoo sighed rather loudly and turned his attention to the miffed, petite male. "Listen Kihyun, what you have against me right now, should only be directed to me. Not at the dinner table where the other members can intervene. That's not the way you talk to the leader of this group and it's extremely childish y-“
Infuriated, Kihyun slammed the bottle down, pointedly glaring at Hyunwoo. "No, YOU listen! What is the foundation of a relationship without the prospect for marriage? Is there a valid reason I should stay in this relationship if you do not wholeheartedly believe it will last?!" Without waiting for a response, Kihyun swiftly left, slamming the door behind him, an acrid tension lingering throughout the room.
Usually known for loquacious antics during dinner, Minhyuk was at a loss for words. The older refrained from making eye contact with the other members. Changkyun and Hyungwon both rise from their seats, quietly exiting the room with their plates. This left Jooheon, Hyunwoo, Wonho, and Minhyuk silently aware of their surroundings.
Jooheon lifted his head and sighed heavily, a look of sympathy washed on his face. "Hyunwoo hyung, whatever just happened, I think you need to talk to him. But now is not the right time. We have two months left on this tour. We really cannot have the dynamic shift because of a lover's quarrel."
Wonho raised an eyebrow, generally perplexed as to the circumstances of the situation. "What exactly happened, Hyung?"
Hyunwoo buries his face into his hands, sighing heavily, staying in position until Minhyuk placed a hand carefully on his shoulder. "Hyunwoo hyung. Do you remember that interview where that intrusive interviewer asked us on our plans after Monsta X and what our initial thought on marriage?" Hyunwoo nodded his head densely, Wonho casting a look of confusion. "Hyunwoo, I need you to remember what you said. Think about that moment, after Minhyuk said he would marry after his career was finished.”
Hyunwoo shook his head frantically, a solemn expression contorting to a perplexed expression. Minhyuk raised his eyebrow and scoffed at the daft male, throwing his hands in the air. "Dammit, Hyunwoo. Now is not the time to have this occur. We are on a world tour, if you two haven’t forgotten. Just fix it!”
Hyunwoo’s Adam's apple bobs in his throat, his chest aching at the sound of Kihyun's soft cries, the heartache he inflicted on the love of his life. Sighing silently, Hyunwoo twisted the door knob and found himself staring at the lump wrapped away in the darkness. Hyunwoo wrapped his arms around a sobbing Kihyun, bringing him close to his chest. Peppering kisses against his clammy forehead, Hyunwoo closes his eyes. "Baby, whatever I did to cause you this much distress, I am so so sorry. Please tell me what I did, I want to fix this. I cannot stand to see you in so much pain and all because of me."
Kihyun presses his face against Hyunwoo’s chest, languidly wrapping his arms around the other's waist. Inhaling his cologne, Kihyun released a shuddering sigh, tears trailing down his face. "I hate the reason as to why I am so upset. I took that out on you without allowing for you to explain yourself. I hate to think I could have a life without you long after our group disbands. I hate to think I'm so unimportant to you."
———————-
Kihyun leaned his head against his best friend's shoulder, a small smile dancing on his lips. "You always know the right things to say whenever I get too in my head. What would I do without you?"
Minhyuk jovial laughter rang through the room, a distraction Kihyun desperately needed. Kihyun heard the timer go off in the other room and it felt as though time slowed down. Kihyun nervously paced in front of the bathroom door, peering over his shoulder and saw Minhyuk approaching him with two tall glasses.
"The water is for you and the tall watermelon Soju is for me because today has been an emotional day in the life of Kihyun!" Minhyuk dramatically declares, receiving a playful eye roll and shove from Kihyun.
__________________________
Keeping his grip on the giant, ribbon laced box in his hands, Hyunwoo crept secretly into the living room of their home. Smiling happily, he gently placed the box to the floor and hurriedly went to the car, where he left the other part of the surprise. A surprise indeed as Kihyun stumbled upon the box in the living room, tilting his head in confusion as to what his husband was planning. Furrowing his brows lightly, Kihyun managed taking the garbage out without running back to check the box's containing.
Hyunwoo wraps up the surprise with a huge smile on his face. He knew Kihyun was going to be in a world of surprise. The distraction possibly masking the ambiguous tension they've been experiencing lately.
"Kihyunnie?" Hyunwoo calls out, hearing the back door shutting. "Can you comr to the livingroom? I have a surprise for you.”
Kihyun’s eyes glittered with joy, anticipating the other’s surprise. Kihyun made his way into the living room, a huge grin gracing his lips.
"I know you've been saying that you want to settle down and make this our home. That being here in the big house can be lonely, especially since I attend to a lot of meetings." Hyunwoo ruffled the back of his head and flashes a huge smile. "I had an idea to bring you a companion to keep you company when I’m working.” A fluffy ball of snow burst out of the box, happily wagging his tail at its new owners. Hyunwoo lowered himself to where he could gently stroke the top of the puppy’s head. Kihyun’s face didn't scream excited, in fact, his face fell as did his tone of voice.
A Bichon Frise puppy?! When I told Hyunwoo that I am lonely meant him not spending so much in the office. Kihyun briskly thought, crossing his arms and huffs indignantly.
Hyunwoo frowned heavily, his hand scratching the back of his head. "Kiki, do you not like the puppy? I can always bring it back and buy another puppy."
"It's...not that!" Kihyun exclaimed, his voice wavering. He is quick to shove the bag in his hands, turning away from Hyunwoo, the noise of the rattling papers deafening the coated silence.
Lifting the white stick from the bag, Hyunwoo tilted the item over and stared curiously at the two red lines. "Jagiya, what's this?" Hyunwoo knew, but needed to hear his husband verbalize the sentence.
Kihyun's emotions rampant his ability to cohesively think, affecting his otherwise normal occurrence with his husband being dense. Kihyun intertwining their hands together.
"We made vows to love each other, through sickness and health. That we will be together. To provide support through the hardships and never lose faith in each other’s love.” Kihyun's eyes glistened with tears, peering up at Hyunwoo. Carefully caressing his cheek, his hand remained softly against the velvety skin. "Son Hyunwoo, I am terrified of the new chapter ahead and the amount of commitment required to put forth as a result. But I can't see myself being in this predicament with anyone but you. Because you're the love of my life and soon, our baby will love you too."
Hyunwoo closed the distance between them and curled his hand against Kihyun's cheek. Caressing his husband’s cheek, fondness and warmth filled his chest and his eyes adoringly staring at his bashful husband. "You have made me the happiest man, Son-Yoo Kihyun. I love you. I love our growing family. I swear to protect and love our family until I take my last breath."
That night, the couple were wrapped in each other's arms, their limbs tangled amongst the silky sheets. Their laughter reverberated around the room. Kihyun's eyes formed crescents, giggling softly as Hyunwoo’s arm snakes around his svelte waist.