Chapter Text
Seungmin stood under the hot spray of the shower, fingers working through his hair as the soothing heat of the water loosened the tension in his shoulders. The bathroom was clouded with steam, and the mirror across from him was entirely fogged over. He tilted his head back, letting the water rinse away the lather of shampoo, and sighed in contentment. The rare moments of solitude were precious, and he intended to savor them.
That was, until the door to the bathroom swung open, letting in a gust of cold air. Seungmin’s eyes snapped open, and he immediately scowled.
“Close the door!” he snapped, wiping water from his face as he glared at the figure entering the bathroom.
Hyunjin, clad in pajama pants and a loose sweatshirt, ignored the protest and perched himself on the counter near the sink. He smirked as he settled in, seemingly unfazed by Seungmin’s irritation.
“You know you’re killing all the warm air in here, right?” Seungmin grumbled, scrubbing at his scalp with extra vigor as if to channel his annoyance.
Hyunjin leaned back against the mirror, crossing his arms casually. “You’ll survive. Besides, I need a place to hide. Minho’s being unbearably clingy, and it’s freaking me out.”
Seungmin’s annoyance softened into amusement as he turned back toward the spray of the shower. “Clingy, huh? Sounds like someone’s rut is around the corner.”
“Don’t remind me,” Hyunjin groaned dramatically. “I swear, he’s like a barnacle. I can’t move without him sniffing around or touching me.”
“Well,” Seungmin said with a chuckle as he rinsed the shampoo from his hair, “you’d better brace yourself. If he’s already acting like that, his rut’s probably going to hit tomorrow. We’re in for a long week.”
Hyunjin slouched against the mirror, a defeated expression crossing his face. “Great. That’s exactly what I needed to hear.”
With the conditioner fully rinsed, Seungmin turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel from the rack. He began drying himself off as he smirked at Hyunjin.
Hyunjin raised an eyebrow, but before he could react, Seungmin closed the distance between them. He spread his arms wide and pressed his damp skin against Hyunjin’s dry clothes.
“Seungmin!” Hyunjin yelped, trying to push him away. “You’re soaked!”
Seungmin laughed, stepping back and grabbing the towel again to wrap it around his waist. “Serves you right for barging in here uninvited.”
Hyunjin glared at him, brushing at the wet patches now staining his sweatshirt. “You’re insufferable.”
“And you love it,” Seungmin retorted, grabbing his toothbrush.
As he brushed his teeth, Hyunjin shook his head in mock frustration. “Have fun walking back to our room like that.”
Seungmin rolled his eyes. “Thanks for the reminder. Now I have to brave the lion’s den.”
“See you in a few hours,” Hyunjin said with a grin, already amused by the idea of Seungmin dealing with a clingy Minho.
Seungmin flipped him off before leaving the bathroom, towel securely in place, and began making his way up the stairs.
Seungmin treaded up the stairs cautiously, the dampness of his hair making him shiver slightly as he clutched the towel tighter around his waist. The shared bedroom was just at the end of the hallway, the door cracked open slightly. He sighed, bracing himself for what awaited inside.
Pushing the door open, Seungmin immediately noticed Minho sprawled on the bed, a thin sheet draped haphazardly over his body. The alpha’s sharp eyes locked onto him the moment he stepped inside.
“Back so soon?” Minho’s voice was low, a teasing lilt to it as he watched Seungmin.
Seungmin ignored the comment, heading straight for the closet. “I just need clothes,” he muttered, rummaging through the shared space until he found a pair of sweatpants—most likely Chan’s—and one of Minho’s oversized cat-themed shirts.
He dressed quickly, pulling the shirt over his head and stepping into the pants before turning around. Minho was now sitting up, his gaze predatory and amused.
“You sure you don’t want to join me for a bit?” Minho asked, patting the space beside him on the bed.
Seungmin rolled his eyes. “I’ll join you when your rut actually starts.”
Minho let out a playful whine, falling back against the pillows dramatically. “You’re no fun.”
“Not right now, I’m not.”
With Minho still pouting on the bed, Seungmin turned to leave, but he didn’t make it far before he smelt Minho’s scent cling to him. It was enough to make him hesitate for just a second before he stepped into the hallway and headed to the kitchen.
The smell of freshly cooked food filled the air, and Seungmin spotted Chan at the stove, already dressed and seemingly focused on plating breakfast. Changbin and Hyunjin were lounging on the couch in the living room, watching a movie.
Seungmin took a seat at the table, glancing at a small box sitting near the edge. His curiosity piqued.
“What’s this?” he asked, gesturing toward the box.
Chan turned his head briefly, noticing where Seungmin was pointing. “Those are Jisung’s and Felix’s phones. They’re identical, so it doesn’t really matter who takes which one.”
Seungmin hummed thoughtfully, reaching for the box and pulling out the top phone. He placed it down on the table, intending to give it to Jisung later.
Chan continued, “I’m bringing Felix’s phone to the hospital after breakfast. Hopefully, he’ll use it to distract himself for a bit.”
Seungmin nodded absently. When Chan finished setting the table, he called out to everyone to join them.
“I’ll go get Jisung and try to convince Minho to come down,” Seungmin volunteered, though his tone was doubtful.
“Good luck with that,” Chan replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips as Hyunjin and Changbin wandered into the kitchen.
Seungmin headed to Jisung’s room first, knocking lightly on the door. It took a few moments before the door creaked open, revealing a disheveled Jisung. His hair stuck out at odd angles, his clothes were wrinkled, and his eyes were still heavy with sleep.
“Breakfast is ready,” Seungmin said simply.
Jisung nodded, rubbing his eyes as he ran a hand through his messy hair.
“I need to get Minho out of the bedroom,” Seungmin added, glancing toward the stairs. “But if he’s stubborn, I might just have to bring him food up there.”
Jisung’s voice was soft when he asked, “Is he… sick?”
Seungmin shook his head. “No, he’s about to start his rut.”
The explanation made Jisung shift uncomfortably, his hands fidgeting nervously. Seungmin watched him for a moment before gesturing toward the hallway. “You can go ahead to the kitchen. I’ll handle Minho.”
But Jisung shook his head, following Seungmin instead as they made their way upstairs. When they reached the bedroom door, Seungmin gave Jisung a reassuring glance before stepping inside.
As expected, the room was thick with Minho’s scent, a potent mixture of alpha pheromones and warmth that almost made Seungmin falter. Minho was still lounging on the bed, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp as it followed Seungmin’s every movement.
“Time to eat breakfast,” Seungmin announced, crossing the room.
Minho sighed dramatically, groaning as he stretched. “Do I have to?”
Seungmin didn’t bother answering. Instead, he grabbed Minho’s hand and yanked him upright. The sudden movement caught Minho off guard, and he stumbled into Seungmin, their laughter filling the room.
Minho’s nose brushed against Seungmin’s neck, and he inhaled deeply, his tongue flicking out to lick at Seungmin’s scent gland.
“Minho,” Seungmin groaned, pushing him away gently. “Breakfast first.”
With a playful grin, Minho allowed himself to be led out of the room.
As they stepped into the hallway, Jisung quickly backed away, his wide eyes darting nervously between Seungmin and Minho.
Together, the three of them headed downstairs and into the kitchen, where breakfast awaited.
Seungmin pushed Minho down into a chair beside Changbin before taking a seat himself. He looked back at Jisung and patted the chair next to him, a subtle but clear invitation.
Jisung hesitated, shifting his weight from foot to foot. After a moment, he lowered himself onto the seat beside Seungmin, careful to keep his distance.
Chan worked efficiently, piling food onto plates and setting them down in front of everyone. “Eat up,” he said warmly, his gaze briefly lingering on Jisung.
Seungmin reached for something he’d set aside earlier—a phone, its surface gleaming. He slid it across the table toward Jisung.
“You’ll need this,” Seungmin said, his tone casual but kind. “We’ll add everyone’s numbers later, but for now, keep it on you.”
Jisung’s eyes widened slightly as he took the phone in both hands, his fingers brushing over the smooth surface. “Thank you,” he murmured softly, barely audible over the clinking of plates.
The table grew quieter as everyone focused on eating. Seungmin nibbled at the edges of his toast, watching the others from the corner of his eye.
When the meal was finished, Minho leaned back in his chair, stretching lazily. He turned to Hyunjin with a sly grin. “Come on. Bed.”
Hyunjin groaned, clearly torn between irritation and amusement. “You’re exhausting,” he muttered, but he stood and grabbed Minho’s outstretched hand, pulling him toward the stairs.
Seungmin and Changbin exchanged knowing chuckles as Chan pushed back his chair. “I’m heading to the hospital,” he said, his tone lighter than usual.
Seungmin and Changbin sent off a chorus of goodbyes and soft “love you’s” as Chan left, the front door clicking shut behind him.
“Wooyoung should be here soon,” Changbin said as he started gathering plates.
Seungmin hummed before he moved to the sink to start washing dishes.
Changbin had just finished drying the last plate when the sound of the doorbell echoed through the house. “That’s him,” Changbin said, heading for the door.
Seungmin chuckled, shaking his head. “He has a key, I don't know why he doesn't just come in.”
Wooyoung’s loud voice carried into the kitchen moments later, his boisterous tone unmistakable. Jisung flinched slightly, his body tensing.
Seungmin glanced at him. “Relax,” he said gently. “Wooyoung’s an omega, and he’s got pups with him. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
Jisung’s shoulders eased, if only slightly. He followed Seungmin out of the kitchen and into the living room, staying close behind him.
Wooyoung stood in the center of the room, his confident stance softened by the two pups balanced on his hips. The children were tall for their age, but Wooyoung held them with ease, his vibrant energy making the space feel warmer.
“Finally,” Wooyoung teased, shooting a playful look at Changbin. “Took you long enough.”
“You could’ve let yourself in,” Changbin retorted, rolling his eyes.
Wooyoung grinned as he set the pups down. Sujin, the smaller of the two, immediately clung to Wooyoung’s leg, while Suho dashed toward the couch, climbing onto it with surprising speed.
Changbin ruffled Suho’s hair on his way to the TV, switching the channel to a cartoon. The boy cheered, his focus glued to the screen.
Wooyoung and Changbin took charge of the nursery preparations, diving into the task with an easy rhythm. They assembled furniture, painted walls, and discussed layouts.
Seungmin watched as Sujin started walking over to Jisung. The little girl wrapped herself around his leg, her tiny hands gripping tightly.
Jisung froze, his face pale.
“Looks like you’ve made a friend,” Seungmin said with a chuckle amused by the other omega’s discomfort.
“I—um—” Jisung stammered, glancing down at Sujin, who looked up at him with wide, expectant eyes.
“Have you ever been around pups before?” Seungmin asked, still smiling.
Jisung shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper.
Seungmin’s laughter was warm but not mocking. “You’ll get used to it.”
The nursery came together piece by piece. Seungmin felt an odd sense of satisfaction watching the room transform. The soft pink walls added a calm softness, complimenting the pale wood of the crib and dresser Changbin and Wooyoung had argued over for a solid ten minutes.
“Near the window makes more sense,” Wooyoung had huffed, dragging one side of the dresser.
“And I told you,” Changbin countered, planting his feet firmly on the floor, “It looks awkward near the window!”
Seungmin chuckled to himself, opting not to intervene. Those two were chaotic, but he knew they’d come to an agreement eventually.
Jisung stood near the doorway, still holding Sujin close to his chest. The little pup had fallen asleep a while ago, her tiny arms hanging loosely around his neck. Despite Jisung’s nervous aura, there was something peaceful about the way he held her. His shoulders were tense, and his movements were hesitant, but he didn’t seem to mind the weight of her or the warmth of her small form tucked into him.
Seungmin tilted his head, studying the omega. “Take a break,” he said softly, keeping his tone casual to avoid startling him.
Jisung blinked and turned slightly, his wide eyes locking onto Seungmin. “I-I’m fine,” he stammered, shifting Sujin slightly to adjust her weight.
“You’ve been holding her for over an hour,” Seungmin pointed out with a raised brow. “I’m pretty sure your arms are going to fall off.”
Jisung hesitated, his grip tightening on Sujin as though he wasn’t ready to let her go. The sight tugged at something in Seungmin’s chest. There was an innocence to Jisung’s actions.
“She’s not going anywhere,” Seungmin said, his voice gentler now. “I can hold her for a while if you need a breather.”
Jisung shook his head quickly, his voice barely above a whisper. “She’s fine with me… I don’t mind.”
Seungmin didn’t push further, instead letting his gaze linger on the way Jisung instinctively swayed ever so slightly to keep the pup settled. It wasn’t something Jisung had done before; clearly, he was new to being around pups. And yet, Sujin looked completely at ease.
Wooyoung’s voice broke the moment. “Hey, Changbin, can you stop being stubborn for two seconds and just admit I was right about the dresser placement?”
“Right? You’re delusional,” Changbin shot back.
Seungmin sighed and turned to watch the two men go at it again. “If you two are going to argue, at least pretend to measure things this time.”
The men grumbled but grabbed the tape measure Seungmin tossed at them, momentarily distracted from their bickering.
He glanced back at Jisung, who was now gazing down at Sujin with an almost puzzled expression, as though he couldn’t quite believe how peaceful she looked in his arms. Seungmin smirked.
“You’re a natural, you know,” he commented.
Jisung’s head snapped up. “What?”
“With pups,” Seungmin clarified, gesturing toward Sujin. “You might not realize it, but you’re good with her.”
Jisung’s cheeks turned pink, and he looked away, mumbling, “I’m just holding her…”
“Sure,” Seungmin said lightly, letting the conversation drop as he moved to check on the rest of the nursery progress.
The space was starting to come alive now. Wooyoung and Changbin had finally agreed on the layout, and the furniture was neatly arranged. Wooyoung hummed as he sorted through decorations while Changbin meticulously labeled the drawers in the dresser.
Just as Seungmin stepped back to take it all in, Sujin stirred in Jisung’s arms, letting out a soft whine.
“Looks like someone’s waking up,” Seungmin said, glancing over his shoulder.
Jisung froze, looking panicked. “What do I do?”
“Relax,” Seungmin said with a chuckle. “She probably just needs to be rocked a bit. Or give her to Wooyoung.”
But before Jisung could hand her over, Sujin lifted her head groggily and snuggled closer to him, her small hands gripping the fabric of his shirt. Jisung’s eyes widened, and he hesitated before shifting her slightly to make her more comfortable.
Seungmin felt a warm smile tug at his lips. “See? She likes you.”
As the minutes ticked by, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The smell of fresh paint lingered in the air, mixing with the faint, sweet scent of the pups. Sujin was still nestled in Jisung’s arms, her small body occasionally twitching as she slept, and Seungmin couldn’t help but glance at them every now and then.
Jisung was still clearly out of his element, his eyes flickering nervously from one person to the next. But despite his hesitation, there was a certain tenderness in the way he held Sujin. It was a quiet thing, but it was there. Seungmin had seen it before, in the way Jisung interacted with Felix, that quiet, protective streak he didn’t even seem to notice in himself.
Seungmin’s attention was pulled away by a loud bang, followed by a sharp groan. He turned just in time to see Changbin half-sitting, half-lying on the floor, rubbing his back. Wooyoung was grinning from ear to ear, clearly delighted at the sight.
“You’re about to break your back, old man,” Wooyoung teased, crossing his arms.
“Old man?” Changbin shot back, rolling onto his feet with a wince. “I’m barely older than you, Wooyoung, don’t act like you’re the spring chicken here.”
Seungmin chuckled, shaking his head. “If you two keep this up, I’m going to give you both a bad review.”
Wooyoung winked at him. “You’d be a killjoy.”
“Yeah, I’m good at that,” Seungmin replied with a grin, before turning his attention back to Jisung. Seungmin was about to say something when a soft voice interrupted.
“Do you think… I’m doing okay?” Jisung asked, looking up at him. His eyes were wide, and there was a vulnerability to his gaze that Seungmin hadn’t noticed before.
Seungmin blinked, caught off guard by the question. It wasn’t a question he’d expected, but he could see that Jisung was genuinely unsure of himself.
“You’re doing fine,” Seungmin said, his voice firm. “Honestly, better than I thought you would. Sujin seems to think you’re doing just fine.”
Jisung’s gaze softened, but he still seemed unsure, as if seeking validation. “I just… I don’t know. I’m not sure how to be around pups.“
Seungmin smiled softly, “you’re doing just fine.”
“Thanks,” Jisung whispered, his voice barely audible.
Just then, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the house, followed by footsteps and voices that Seungmin immediately recognized. Jeongin’s voice rang out, tired but affectionate. “Hey.”
Seungmin turned to see Jeongin stepping into the room, his tired eyes lighting up when he saw the nursery. His posture was slightly slumped from exhaustion, but there was still a soft smile on his face as he surveyed the room.
“Hey, Jeongin,” Seungmin greeted him. “It’s coming together. Almost done.”
“I’ll help finish up,” Jeongin said.
Seungmin raised an eyebrow. “Don’t make me get you a chair. You look like you’re about to pass out.”
Jeongin waved him off with a tired grin. “I’m fine. I just need a bit of water.”
“Go sit down, Jeongin,” Seungmin insisted, “and let the rest of us handle this. You’re going to end up face-first in a wall if you keep pushing yourself.”
Jeongin huffed but didn’t argue. Seungmin watched the alpha leave, probably heading to go get something to drink.
They worked together in a comfortable rhythm, organizing the last bits of the nursery. The room looked perfect—cozy, with soft pastel colors on the walls and little touches that made it feel inviting. The shelves were stocked with stuffed animals, books, and small trinkets.
Once the last piece of furniture was in place, everyone stood back to admire the work they’d done. Woyoung let out a satisfied breath, glancing around the room. “Looks great, huh?” he said, a smile tugging at his lips, before he added, “I think this is one of the nicest nurseries I’ve ever helped put together.”
Changbin rolled his eyes. “You only say that because you didn’t have to move the furniture around thirty times.”
“I didn’t mind,” Wooyoung replied breezily.
Wooyoung’s smile softened as he reached for Sujin, who was peacefully asleep in Jisung’s arms. “Well, I guess its time for us to go.”
Jisung handed Sujin over gently as Wooyoung took the little girl. Wooyoung gave Jisung a warm, reassuring look. “Thanks for holding her.”
He scooped up Suho, who had been playing nearby, and took both pups in his arms as he waved goodbye. “See you all soon.”
After the door clicked shut behind them, the house grew quiet. But just as the silence settled, the heavy thud of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Hyunjin stumbled into the kitchen, looking worn and bleary-eyed. He groaned as he leaned against the doorway, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “Minho’s rut has started,” he muttered, his tone thick with exhaustion. “It’s going to be a long night.”