Taeyong hummed as he stretched his legs past the doorway, the cool night breeze soothing his swollen feet. He pierced the last apple slice and held it over his shoulder. "Eat more."

"Are you sure?" Daehyun asked, brushing his thumb over Taeyong's belly.

Taeyong nodded. "I'm full," he whispered.

With a nod, Daehyun ate the last slice, smiling at its satisfying crunch.

"Do you want more?" Eomma asked as Taeyong stretched out his arm, pushing the empty plate onto the low table. When Taeyong shook his head, she picked up her cutting board, leaned over and dumped the cut fruit into Seunghyeon's plate.

"Eomma!" Seunghyeon yelled.

Eomma smacked his hand away. "Eat, it's good for you."

Seunghyeon grumbled and twisted around, pouting at Taeyong. "Take some."

"No way." Taeyong shook his head and tilted his chin back to Appa.

Seunghyeon whipped around and scooted his plate towards Appa, who was busy brushing his fingers through Myungsuk's hair, as Myungsuk nibbled on a strawberry. "Can you eat mine?"

Appa glanced down at the mountain of fruit and chuckled. "Okay. Only because I don't want you to turn into an apple."

Fondly rolling his eyes, Seunghyeon fell back onto the floor and rolled on his stomach.

Myungsuk grumbled and shoved Seunghyeon's legs away. "Move your feet."

"Urgh, okay, okay." With minimal effort, Seunghyeon pivoted his feet to face Eomma, stretching out in front of the open doors. They stared out at their small courtyard, concealed by their wrap-around home. Even with repairs over the years, it was still exactly the same as the day their grandfather built it.

"You can smell the fields," Seunghyeon said, taking a deep breath.

Taeyong chuckled and leaned back against Daehyun's chest. "Yeah," he breathed out.

Closing his eyes, Taeyong focused on the breeze on his face and Daehyun's warm hands on his belly instead of the dull ache in his back and his damp forehead. Even sitting down made his heart race. At least the baby was finally settled and not kicking every two minutes.

Daehyun leaned down, kissing Taeyong's temple. "How are you feeling?" Daehyun whispered.

Cracking a smile, Taeyong tilted his head. "A little sore. I think we walked too much today."

Daehyun hummed. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I knew it would be a lot."

Taeyong shook his head. "No, it's okay," he said, placing his hand over Daehyun's. Every year they visited his mother's grave, along with their grandparents. "I'm not going to complain just because I'm pregnant."

Daehyun nodded and rested his forehead against Taeyong's. "We'll rest tomorrow then."

"Just tomorrow?" Taeyong asked. He leaned back and took a deep breath. Ever since the outburst at the baby shower, everyone had essentially cut him off. At first, it was devastating. He had spent the first few days here locked up in his room trying to fix things. Especially with Jaejin.

But today, the walk through the town, reminiscing his childhood, filled him with a desire to bring it back to the city. To reduce his stress and focus more on being there for his family. Though, that's harder said than done.

"Chanri texted me the invite for her fashion show," Taeyong mumbled, fidgeting with the hem of Daehyun's shirt that he was wearing.

"And you don't want to go?" Daehyun hummed.

"I never said that," Taeyong snapped. He stared at Daehyun's soft smile and pursed his lips, averting his eyes. "I want to take a small break from socializing," he confessed, pouting as Daehyun kissed his temple.

"She'd hate to force you," Daehyun whispered and glanced over where Seunghyeon stuck his face out through the door as a cool breeze swept past. "She's been meaning to meet Seunghyeon again."

Taeyong cracked a smile and nodded. "Sounds perfect." He leaned up and nuzzled his nose against Daehyun's cheek.

"Wah," Eomma breathed out.

Taeyong furrowed his brows as his parents grinned at them. "What?" he asked.

"I'm just surprised," Eomma said and placed her hand on her cheek.

"We never thought you two would ever be this calm," Appa explained.

Taeyong raised an eyebrow and met Daehyun's equally confused expression. "What are you talking about?" Taeyong pursed his lips. "I've always been calm."

Everyone chuckled and Taeyong puffed up his chest. "Hey." Taeyong reached over to the closest target and smacked Seunghyeon's head.

"Ow!" Seunghyeon scrunched up his nose and stuck his tongue out at him. Taeyong rolled his eyes, smirking.

"For you, I can see that," Daehyun chuckled, brushing his hand over Taeyong's belly.

"Also you, Daehyun," Appa said. "You were quite outspoken."

"Was I?" Daehyun turned away. "I can't recall."

Taeyong giggled at Daehyun's furrowed brows and pinched Daehyun's cheek. "I remember. You had such an American attitude. Acting like a hero all the time."

Myungsuk and Seunghyeon giggled as Daehyun rolled his eyes. "Is that a bad thing?"

"Not at all," Taeyong said and grinned. "You were just always so passionate whenever you got into an argument."

Seunghyeon nodded. "Yeah, like that time you got that uncle to stop hitting us kids whenever we passed his house."

"Oh yeah!" Myungsuk sat up. "I really thought you were going to punch him."

"I would never go that far," Daehyun said, his ears going red, despite his stoic expression. "Though, I still can't believe he had the nerve to hit random children in the town just like that."

"And he'd do that to me when I was a kid too. So you telling him to stop was the shock of the town" Eomma said.

Taeyong nodded and nuzzled his cheek, grinning at how Daehyun's scent tinged with anger. Taeyong cracked a smile. "You're always protecting us," he whispered. Daehyun smiled softly and leaned in, a gentle purr rumbling in his chest.

Seunghyeon slapped the floor and shot up. "Speaking of people in this town! I didn't tell you guys what happened today," Seunghyeon added, gritting his teeth.

"What happened?" Taeyong mused, leaning against Daehyun.

"Urgh, so that uncle's daughter came over to drop the kimchi, right," Seunghyeon started and everyone nodded.

"What about her?" Myungsuk asked, nibbling on the tip of a strawberry.

"Well, this bi–" Seunghyeon bit his tongue. "This rude lady had the audacity to say I'm wasting my time here and should've stayed in Seoul to look for an alpha."

Taeyong gasped. "What the–?"

Eomma clicked her tongue, scoffing. "How can she say that? This place is where you grew up," she huffed, dropping her fist on the table. "Taeyong was born in this very room!"

"I know!" Seunghyeon waved his hands. "And that's not the worst part!"

"It's not?" Taeyong asked.

Seunghyeon nodded. "Yeah. When I said what if I married a beta, she–" Seunghyeon clenched his jaw and shook his fist. "Literally said, that you two"–Seunghyeon gestured to their parents–" Didn't move to Seoul just so I could marry someone mediocre."

Everyone gasped. "How dare she say that! That's none of her business!" Taeyong scoffed, shaking his head.

"I know! Like she's a beta. And you guys are betas," Seunghyeon said, gesturing to their parents. "Daehyun and Chanri are the only Alphas we actually know."

Eomma nodded. "And we have never pushed you one way or the other."

"All we want is for you to be happy," Appa added. "Just like Taeyong and Daehyun."

Seunghyeon sighed. "I know," he grumbled and dragged his fingers through his hair. "It's just so annoying. Like, yeah whatever. Alphas and omegas are different, but it's not the end-all, be-all, right?"

Taeyong nodded, placing his hand over Daehyun. "It's true," Taeyong said. "Honestly, I wouldn't mind if you married a beta. I have yet to meet another alpha as kind as Daehyun." Taeyong rubbed his belly and squeezed his eyes shut. Most of the alphas in his social circle were arrogant and attempted to defend Hyunwoo's cruel actions.

Daehyun nuzzled the top of Taeyong's head, letting out his scent and Taeyong soaked it in. Thank Gods Daehyun was there to protect him right away, just like he always has.

Seunghyeon shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. I don't care as long as I have cute kids."

Taeyong stifled a laugh and smiled down at his belly. "All kids are cute."

"Not all," Myungsuk pipped up. "But we"–Myungsuk pointed at the three of them–" were objectively the cutest."

Taeyong chuckled "Really?"

Myungsuk nodded, giggling as Appa reached over and scratched his head. "According to our features. I checked."

They stifled a laugh and Taeyong fondly shook his head. "Well, good to know our baby will certainly be cute," he said, smiling up at Daehyun.

Daehyun smiled. "I never doubted that."

"That's why I can't wait to see the baby," Myungsuk hummed.

Taeyong perked up. "You are?" he asked, smiling.

Myungsuk nodded. "Of course," he said, his eyes wide and sparkling. "That baby is going to be my first niece or nephew. I really want to be there when they're born."

"Are you sure?" Seunghyeon asked, scrunching up his nose. "Isn't there a lot of screaming involved?" he asked, glancing at Taeyong and Eomma.

"I'll wear my headphones," Myungsuk said and smiled brightly. "It's not something I could miss."

Taeyong's heart swelled up and he reached out, smiling as Myungsuk squeezed his hand. "I'm glad you'll be there."

Myungsuk nodded and picked up another strawberry with his free hand, watching Myungsuk as the conversation shifted once again.

While Seunghyeon was the first baby Taeyong knew, Myungsuk was the first baby he remembered so vividly. So small and frail with bright pink cheeks. Myungsuk was still that sweet, innocent kid who cried when people bullied him and would squeeze himself between Taeyong and Seunghyeon for comfort and safety.

Taeyong leaned back and closed his eyes, a tiny smile on his lips. The mess made in the city felt like a distant memory now. As long as he was with his family and they were safe, nothing else mattered to Taeyong.