SkiidaSpeeder (thanks for being so patient about your request)

"We are thinking it over on how to approach this subject with Jongho." Hongjoong answered "He has been very sensitive recently."
Yeosang agreed "He is usually very sure and confident in his body, but now, he will not change in front of us."
"I noticed that too." San added "Should we go talk to him?"
"Not until we know exactly what to say." Hongjoong insisted. "Until then, we can all wait until he comes to us. I know this a lot to ask, but, please nobody mention our meeting without him."
"Or that you are concerned about me becoming fat, is that part of your little secret meeting too Hyung?"
"Jongho, no, wait."
Hongjoong watches as the youngest member walked out the door.
"Guess he found out about the meeting about him." Mingi contributed.
"Let me talk with him." Wooyoung left the table.

"I do not want to talk." Jongho declared. He crossed his arms. "Please just listen then?" Wooyoung reasoned.
"I will take that as you will listen. Jongho, we are sorry. We are worried about you. Okay? This behavior is unusual for you. We are more than just your band mates. What are you hiding from us?" Wooyoung urged.

Jongho peaked at the screen "That is your baby. Congratulations."
"So it is true." He wept "I'm pregnant."
"Is this not what you wanted?"
"No, I did want a baby, but not right now."
"Oh. I am sorry."
Jongho fanned his eyes "Sorry for the scene."
"You are okay. I see all the best and worst of emotional pregnancies in this room."
"Thanks Nurse." Jongho added.
"You are very welcome. Now. We have a few options."
He looked back at the screen. And the nurses voice faded away.

"I am not hiding." Jongho returned "Just a bad day." He brings his knees closer to his chest.
"Jongho, are you sure? I do not want you to go through anything alone."
"I am positive. I will come back in and apologize to Hongjoong."
"He would like that." Wooyoung responded "Take your time. We will be eating, do you want a bowl?"
"That would be good, thank you." Jongho nodded his head.

"Is he upset?" Honhjoong questioned.
Wooyoung closed the door behind him "He is not upset anymore. But Hyung, he is different."
"How so?" Hongjoon asks.
"I am not sure, yet. I think in time he will tell us."
"Should I ask him?" Hongjoong asked.
"Not at the moment. We all should wait to ask him questions. He might get spooked." Wooyoung explained.
"Of course." Hongjoong agreed "I hope that he is okay."
"He will be. Eventually he will tell us."

Jongho flipped to his stomach "Make the call Choi Jongho." He urged. Tossing his phone next to him, he rolled to his left side. Why was it him?

"Uh, huh, hello? Jeong! Am I dreaming?"
"No, you called me first."
"Oh?" Jongho questioned "Must have rolled over my phone while sleeping."
"I was told you missed your appointment."
"I did, yeah, that is true."
"Why would you miss that appointment? It is for the best for us both."
"They showed me the baby on the screen." Jongho confesses "How could I just..kill the baby? I will not be doing that."
"Then you know I do not choose you, right? Think it over again. You can grow pregnant and loose your reputation. Think of your members. They will despise you. Your fans will shun you, all the good in your world right now, will disappear in nine months."
"Stop it."
"You just had to go to that appointment. These next nine months will be your personal hell. I can't wait to see your downfall Choi Jongho."
"Fuck you." Jongho whispered. He ended the call. That night all he could hear was Jeong's echoing words.

Maybe he was right.
Maybe not.

He knew that his secret could be silent for so long before he would begin to show the growth of his baby. At his next appointment, the nurse determined he was 12 weeks along. And could start to show at anytime.

She was more excited than he was.

As if it was a curse, Jongho began to show the very next day. Only he could tell. He found that the rubber band truck he found online really did help him keep his jeans buttoned.
But not for long.

Jongho kept Ateez at a distance from himself.
Seonghwa kept a watchful eye on him, he could feel the stares.
"Did you go shopping?" Seonghwa asks.
Jongho nodded "Needed more basics in my wardrobe. I do not dress as lavish as I do on stage. I like to dress regularly." He explained.
Seonghwa nodded "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." Jongho responded "Getting ready for vocal lessons. How are you?" He turned the question.
"You might be able to hide from Hongjoong, but know that I am watching you Jongho." Seonghwa grabs his chin "What can you not tell me? Or Yunho. Or anyone! We want to help you, and support you."
"Because this is not your problem! Let me go Hyung." Cried Jongho.
"Park Seonghwa!" Hongjoong interjected "Let our maknae go." He looks to Jongho "Get ready for your vocal lessons."
"What just happened? Could you not see that he was scared? Is that your tactic? Being intimidating. Seonghwa. I expected more out of you. Now he will not trust any of us."

"You look stiff Jongho."
"I'm sorry." Jongho apologized "This fabric feels itchy." He lied. "You look good in this color. We can change if you need."
"I can manage. I will try to loosen up, okay?" Jongho compromised.
"Thank you. How about a break?" Was offered. "You can take a quick drink while we look over group photos."

Jongho did not want them to inspect the group photos: he knew how pudgy he has been looking.

"Will do."
Jongho sits in the corner of the room, taking a drink of his water. And watching the members.

"How are they looking?" Yeosang questioned. He stands next to the photographer "You all look good. But, look at this."
Yeosang looks up from the photo to Jongho.

Of course he was.

"Does anyone else know?"
"None does." Yeosang explained. "Seonghwa. Look over these photos. What do you notice immediately?"
Seonghwa peers around the camera to look at their youngest.
"That is.."
Yeosang nodded his head "He must have been struggling so much. Why did he not tell?"
"What's with the whispering?" Hongjoong joined. "We are discussing if Jongho is expecting. Look at these photos. Is that a..bump, Hongjoong?"
Hongjoong also looked past the camera.

"So everyone knows now." Jongho announces.
"Where did you come from! You were in the corner." Hongjoong pointed.
"So everyone knows now." He repeated.
"We do." Yeosang confirmed "All those secret vocal lessons, were those your baby appointments?"
Jongho nodded "I paid them well to keep this quiet. As did our company."
"They know!"
Jongho nodded "They encouraged me to stay silent. I'm sorry."

"Another meeting?" Wooyoung asked, walking to the group.
"Jongho is having a baby." Seonghwa explained as he pointed at Jongho's bump.
"Really! How exciting. I will be the godfather, right?"
"Wait." Jongho holds up a hand "None of you are mad at me? I have been so pressured."
"There is no room for being mad at you. You are definitely pregnant. We want you to be okay."
"It does feel better having everyone know. I was tired of hiding this from everyone."
"We are glad too."
"How far along are you?" Yunho wondered.
"18 weeks." Jongho answered "Four and a half months."
"We are glad that the baby is okay." Mingi walked behind Jongho, and hugged him. His hands laying flat against his bump "Wow! You really are expecting Jongho. Your belly feels different." He giggled.
"We want to feel!"
"Everyone can get a turn, when we are at the dorm. Now, have we forgotten that we still need to do these photos?"
Wooyoung rubbed Jongho's bump "Hi in there."

"Ateez member, Choi Jongho has upset fans of theirs, Atiny." Yeosang begins.
He locks his phone "No, keep reading Yeosang." Jongho lifted his eyebrow. "We all want to hear what I could have possibly done. Again."
Yeosang unlocks his phone "Fans are worried for the idol. His recent weight gain has sparked controversy."
"I am eating for a whole baby!" Jongho complained. "Continue Yeosang."
"Jongho, who debuted in 2018, has changed drastically. On the left is from debut, and the right is from a recent photo shoot that they did." Yeosang licks his lips "Mayne he has gotten too easy on himself. His days as an idol had led him to becoming lazy who no longer cares about his health."
Jongho sits down next to Yeosang "Does anyone think I am lazy?"
"Of course we do not think that Jongho." Mingi denied "You are having an actual baby. Right here." He poked his bump "News outlets can be cruel, we all have been under scrutiny. We have experienced all news. The good and the bad. But this, this is good." Jongho looks down at his bump "Maybe it is time to announce what we have been hiding? I think Atiny deserve to know the truth. And when I will be taking on bed rest. That will be coming soon too."
"How can they be saying this about Jongho!" Seonghwa came storming in "They do not know that he is having s baby. Unbelievable." He throws down the newspaper "Another meeting?" He asks.
"We are making my pregnancy announcement." Jongho explained.
"How are we making the announcement?" He asked.
"Maybe it is time for a VLive. What do we all think?"
"I like that. They can see me in real time." Jongho explained.
"We will send out the tweet." Yunho pulled out his phone. "What time tonight?"
"As soon as possible."
"You might want to take a nap first." Wooyoung offered "You get crabby around this time. Sleep is good for the babies."
Jongho looks at his phone "Wooyoung is correct. So at 2:00."
"Alright. I have notified the fans."
"Let's get you to bed first. Do you want company?"
Jongho looks at Wooyoung "Yes, I am choosing you today. Let's go."
"Yay!" Cheered Wooyoung "I am the best at snuggling." He sticks out his tongue at the other members.

"We have an important announcement. Please be happy for us." Hongjoong begins "No, Seonghwa and I are not in a secret relationship. You might have noticed our maknae is missing. Yes, I know he is exciting. There is a reason. Choi Jongho. Come in."
Jongho entered the room "Hi Atiny." He welcomed. "Our big news is..this, I am having a baby. Please continue to support me, and our group."

"More news about us?" Jongho asked.
"Of course there is." Yunho nodded. "Shocking news from Kpop boy group Ateez. Youngest member, Choi Jongho announces his pregnancy to fans, Atiny, yesterday on their vLive, which has been rewatched, so much that they are trending now. Jongho, aged 26, is 20 weeks."
"I am only 19, but who is counting." Jongho interrupted. Yunho looks at him "While he would not disclose who the father is, their leader, Kim Hongjoong said that Jongho is more than capable of being a father. And the baby will have seven uncles. Jongho looked happy, and ready to become a father. Ateez will finish their tour in Korea as Jongho will go on bed rest." Yunho finishes.
Jongho takes a sip of his water "It all ended well. What are fans saying?"
Seonghwa holds out his phone "Most are being supportive. They are asking that you keep them updated. Possibly in a few weeks you should do a solo live and give updates."
"I can do that. What are the plans for today?" Jongho asks.
"We are building you the nursery!" Wooyoung exclaimed.
"Wooyoung! That was meant to be a surprise!" Yeosang slapped his arm.
"Oh yeah, uh, nothing. Want to go get food with Hongjoong, for no reason."
Hongjoong rubbed his eyes "You can say no."
"Food does sound nice. I bet there will be nothing changed about our dorm when we get back. Are you ready Hyung?"
"I am. Your choice of food." Hongjoong says.
"Yeah it was going to be regardless. But thank you for acting like you are giving me privileges." Laughed Jongho.
"We will be back in two hours. I trust no injuries will happen during our absence. Please watch for Wooyoung and San." Hongjoon sets his hand on Seonghwa "No promises, but I will do my best. Go take care of our babies."

Hi everyone!
Thanks for reading this, this is one of my longest chapters, I am proud of this one, like a lot. If you enjoyed it, go ahead and vote, comment, or do both. Make requests!

Until next time;

-SheIsTheWriter🌸🩷