A loud thunder woke you up that morning.

Reluctantly, you opened your eyes. It was cold that morning. So very cold. Winters had become more and more harsh in Korea by each passing season.

Even then, on that cold November morning you felt like freezing.

You stood up from your warm and cozy bed, opened the blinds just to reveal a dark, gloomy and foggy day. You stopped for a second just to observe the city under you, so busy already. You watched umbrellas pass and cars drive off. It was almost amusing, nothing seemed to slow down the city.

You rested your head against the cold surface of the big window in your room, losing track of time as you observed strangers under you go by their day.

It was only when your feet started to feel cold that you brought yourself back to reality.

You decided to have a warm and soothing shower that morning. As you took off your clothes in the bathroom you caught a glimpse of your naked body in the mirror. You observed yourself; the baby bump was more prominent day by day. You sighed while placing your hands on it. You couldn't believe you were almost halfway through your pregnancy.

"Twenty more weeks little one. Give or take" you smiled while caressing your bump.

The warm water welcomed you in and, as it ran down your spine you sighed. You took your time with it, really enjoying your shower.
That day thankfully you didn't have to go to work.

When it all went down, you wanted to quit your job but Namjoon insisted you stayed. He even gave you a solo project to work on so that you didn't have to work with Hoseok. You were extremely grateful to Namjoon for the new chance and you made sure to take the opportunity seriously. It was still hard to go to work though. Seeing all those familiar faces that you once used to call your fiends made you uncomfortable. Even passing by Hoseok, or anyone else for that matter, was soon to be revealed unbearable.

You hated working there.

So, when the weekends arrived, much like that day, you passed them by yourself.

Sure, sometimes you went out on a stroll with Jisoo but now that she was getting ready to welcome her and Jin's baby you were left alone. You felt lonely too.

Once you were done with your shower, you decided to head out into the kitchen to make yourself something to eat.

It seemed to you that you were alone in the apartment. Not that it was a surprise anymore.

He usually wasn't anywhere near you on the weekends. It was a relief, really.

The work days on the other hand were difficult to manage. He would wait for you to get ready and you would head out together. It was sweet that he offered to wait for you every morning you thought. Granted, it was just because of the baby but still.

Him asking you every morning if you were ready to head out was the most he would talk to you. The rest of the ride you would spend in silence. The only other time you two would communicate was at the doctor's office, when you had your regular checkups. You would pretend to be a happy couple expecting their first child which made it even more painful when you returned home, each going their separate ways. Which reminded you, you needed to tell him that day that you had your next appointment in a couple of days.

You made yourself breakfast and sat at the kitchen counter. Eating while watching the rain pour.

As hours went by, the had rain stopped and you took the opportunity to go on a walk in the neighborhood. It was still grey and cold but at least wasn't raining anymore.
You put on your parka and left the building. As you walked out outside you took a big breath in. You always felt better when you were outside, out of that apartment.

You began to walk, blending in with the rest of the crowd.
Your mind started to travel elsewhere, far from there as you aimlessly walked on the streets of Seoul when you thought you heard someone call your name.

You stopped, unsure if your mind was playing tricks on you. You looked around you and when it was sure that no one was there, you began to walk again.

"Y/n?" you heard a male voice call your name again. You turned around again to see Yoongi walking towards you.

"It is you. I wasn't sure" he said when he reached you.

"Yoongi?" you asked perplexed "Hi. What are you doing here?".

"I had some business in this part of town this morning. Now I'm going to a café here nearby" he quickly explained.

You watched him talk to you. You haven't seen Yoongi in months. Seeing him there, talking with you almost felt like a surreal experience.

"How...how are you?" he asked in clear discomfort.

You smiled at him.

"You don't have to do this, you know?" you reassured him.

"No, I know...I'm sorry" he mumbled embarrassed " Its just that... well I haven't seen you in months so I wanted to know if you were okay...we all have been wondering that" he scratched the back of his neck.

"Really?" you raised an eyebrow, skeptical of those statements.

"Yeah...I mean, most of us".

"I appreciate the thought. Really I do but you don't have to do this" you said "I have to go. It was nice talking to you".

"Y/n wait. Let me buy you a quick cup of coffee at that café at the end of the street. I'm early anyway" he smiled at you.

Hesitantly, you accepted his offer and before you knew it, you were sitting in a small café at the end of the street. Sipping tea and talking to Yoongi.

"So, how are you? You look...bigger" Yoongi said when he saw the bump you've been hiding under your parka.

You smiled at him before speaking " I'm fine".

"How far along are you? Taehyung mentioned it in weeks but I don't know what that means" he chuckled.

"I'm five months pregnant".

"Oh. That's a lot" he said surprised "you're half way through".

"Yeah".

"And do you know if it's a boy or a girl?" Yoongi asked.

"No. not yet. Maybe the doctor will tell us at our next appointment" you said.

"Oh. I see" Yoongi slightly nodded before taking a sip of his coffee.

The awkward situation was made even worse by the silence that followed.

"How are you Y/n...really?" Yoongi looked at you with a concerned expression.

"What do you want me to say, Yoongi?" you gave him a saddened smile " Its hell. I feel lonely all the time and he..." you paused, looking away "he can't stand me" your lower lip trembled.

"That's not true".

"Of course it is" you disagreed with him "He can't even look at me and when he does, he has always this look of disgust and disdain. I swear to you if I could get out of there I would but he wouldn't allow it" you explained as your eyes filled with tears " I understand that he thinks he's doing the right thing for the baby but...I swear I'm going crazy in there all by myself".

Yoongi frowned when seeing you looking that miserable. "I'm sorry that you feel this way" he said.

"Don't get me wrong" you were quick to add, afraid that you might've said too much "He took me in when I had nowhere else to go. He's providing me with the best doctors, the best care money could buy. I have everything that I need to carry out this pregnancy and more. He cares for and loves this child already, its just..." you bit your lip.

"I understand" Yoongi nodded. His tone was calm and caring. "I get that you are going through hell but, believe me Y/n, he is too. Taehyung is hurting. So much" Yoongi leaned in an continued talking " Having a family was his biggest dream. And he is getting one now but at what cost".

"I know. Trust me, I know. And I hate myself for putting him through all of this" your voice cracked "I Just wish there was a way to rectify everything".

"Give it time. You know Taehyung. He has a big and kind heart. He just doesn't have it in him at this moment to forgive you".

You nodded, taking a sip of your tea.

"Thank you. And thank you for talking to me. I needed this".

"Of course" Yoongi said, making you smile.

"How are the others?" you asked.

"Ah. You know them. Nothing much has changed really" he said " they're all doing well. Jin is eager to become a dad. Namjoon is constantly working. Jimin has his own thing and Hoseok is also the same" he made a short pause " They've been a huge support for Taehyung".

"That's good" you smiled " Its nice how he can always count on you guys".

You fell silent for a couple of seconds, debating if you should ask him what you really wanted to know.

"Has...has anyone of you guys heard from...him?".

Yoongi's face suddenly got rigid.

"I talk to him every now and then. Namjoon too. But the others...not so much. I think that Hoseok called him once but that was about it".

"But you've heard from him. How is he?".

"Fine, I guess. I don't know Y/n" Yoongi pinched the root of his nose. The conversation was starting to make him feel uncomfortable.

"I need to know, Yoongi. Please tell me." you insisted.

You haven't heard from him since that day the results came in. Ever since you've found out that the baby you were carrying was Taehyung's. He stayed true to his word and left you alone. The day after he was back in Busan.

He would still occasionally come to Seoul. Had still a third of the company despite Taehyung's threats. Luckily, Namjoon convinced Taehyung to drop everything.

Every time that you heard by chance that he was back in town, back at work for the day, your breath would shorten and your heartbeat increase.
You wanted to see him every time but, every time Jungkook managed to avoid you. To avoid everyone.

Yoongi looked at you with compassion in his eyes.

"Better. Now that he's staying in Busan he's doing better" he was indecisive if to continue "He asked me about you once".

Hearing Yoongi say that made your breath stop mid-throat.

"Really?".

Yoongi nodded. "Yeah".

You were about to ask him more but were stopped by the sound of Hoseok's voice calling for Yoongi. He stopped midway when he saw you, unsure of what next to do.
Reluctantly, he approached the table and greeted Yoongi.

"I'm sorry for being late" he quickly apologized while smiling at him.

"Its fine. Look who I've ran into this morning" Yoongi pointed at you who were uncomfortably sitting at the table.

"Hi" Hoseok said to you. You could see the confusion in his eyes. He then looked at Yoongi and raised an eyebrow, almost asking for an explanation.

"Hi" you were quick to say " I'll be going now" you announced right before awkwardly standing up.

"Nonsense. Stay with us a little longer. Hoseok doesn't mind. Do you?" Yoongi asked him.

But before Hoseok could answer you had already dressed yourself and were ready to go.

"No, really. I need to go now. But thanks for the tea and...everything. See you around" you bowed slightly into Yoongi's direction.

"Bye" you said to Hoseok before disappearing.

Talking with Yoongi felt good. You felt more relaxed that day. More understood. You wanted for the sensation to last longer so you decided to walk around Seoul a little bit more.
Your quick stroll turned into a long walk when you realized that time had passed and that you were out the whole day.

As you returned home, you were surprised to see Taehyung. It was rather unusual for him to be home at that time. It had become a regular thing for Taehyung to return home deep in the night, when you were fast asleep.

He was sitting on the couch, his legs up on the coffee table. He was randomly switching channels on the TV.

"Hi" you said to him as you walked by, determined to reach your room as soon as possible.

"Where were you?" his question made you stop.

"I was out. Walking around".

Taehyung nodded. He didn't seem angry. He didn't seem upset. He just sat there with a blank expression, watching TV.

"I ran into Yoongi" you didn't know if that was something worth mentioning.

"Oh?" Taehyung continued to watch the TV, unbothered.

"Yes. I thought that you should know" you bit your lip.

"Oh, and we have the doctor's appointment this week. Remember? The one that I told you about".

Taehyung nodded.

"How come...how come you're already home?" you cautiously asked.

It was only then when Taehyung's eyes shifted to you.
He tilted his head and lifted an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

"Okay..." you curled your lips "sorry that I asked. I'm going to bed now" you announced before going into your room.

The next morning you got ready for work. Like every other day, Taehyung waited for you to get dressed and offered you a ride to work. And like every other day, you spent the car ride in complete silence.

Upon arriving, you greeted Namjoon and went in your office. The new office was smaller than the previous one but you liked it better since you were the only one in there. Not that you didn't enjoy working with Hoseok; he was the only person that could make work interesting.
Your eyes saddened at the thought of the days you guys would work together.

After a couple of hours of working, you heard a knock on your door.

"Come in" you said, wondering who it might be.

"Y/n?" Hoseok peaked in.

"Hobi?" you let your surprised voice speak.

"Are you busy? Can I enter?".

"No. not at all. Please" you gestured him to enter "What can I do for you?".

"I was wondering if you were free for lunch?" he asked you.

You blinked a couple of times, making him smile.

First Yoongi and now Hoseok? In twenty-four hours no less.

"Ehm...yeah. Sure".

You went down to the restaurant with him. You didn't know to act yet. You've spent almost five months away from everyone it felt bizarre to be sitting in there, ordering food with Hoseok.

"How have you been?" Hoseok gave you one of his radiant smiles.

"I'm fine...I guess".

"Good. Good. You look good too" Hoseok awkwardly said.

"Why am I here, Hoseok?" you asked.

"Well, I was wandering how were you doing an I-".

"After five months?" you interrupted him.

"What?" he asked, perplexed.

"All of you ignore me for almost five months and now you're suddenly worrying about me?".

You couldn't help but feel irritated.

"Well no. I've always been worried about you".

"You have an odd way of showing that for sure" you scoffed.

Hoseok furrowed his forehead.

"Well Y/n, what you did was really shitty" he raised an eyebrow " I was just looking out for my friend".

"But I was also your friend" you pointed out as a knot formed in your throat. " You were one of my closest friends and you've abandoned me when I needed you the most. All of you did" your voice quivered. "And I know that what I did was fucked up. I know that" you emphasized. " I hate myself for doing this to Taehyung every single day. Believe me" you had to stop in order for your tears not to come out "But can you imagine how it feels to hate yourself, to know that the man you're having a child with resents you and to go through all of it alone because your friends whom you love can't stand to look at you?! Can you imagine?" you sobbed as a tear ran down your cheek.

You were sick of it.

Of feeling lonely, sad, depressed. You couldn't stand the feeling anymore.

For months you've been repressing it deep down that it was bound to come out eventually. And you felt a little bit bad for exploding at Hoseok but not really. Because although you knew that what you did wasn't good, you were still human. You were angry at him for abandoning you. You still needed the love and support of your friends.

"Y/n..." he circled the table to come and sit next to you "I'm so sorry" he hugged you "I had no idea how you've been feeling. It wasn't ever my intention to hurt you. I just..." Hoseok listened to your cries " I thought that I was looking out for Taehyung that I completely failed to see how that might affect you. I promise you that I won't let that happen again and that from now on I'll be there for you. If you'll forgive me?".

You nodded against his sweater before parting away. You wiped off your tears and took a breath in.

"There's nothing to forgive. I understand. You care about him. Will you forgive me?".

Hoseok smiled before bringing you in for another hug "Of course. I forgive you".

Hearing him say that made you breathe again. It felt like a small weight had been lifted up from your shoulders.

It still wasn't enough but it was a good start.

So...time jump, surprise! 🫣

Good job to the couple of you who guessed the baby would be Taehyung's. What do you guys think of it?

I remember debating so much on who to pick as the baby daddy back when I wrote this book and I picked Tae because of all the potential drama, lol (it would've been too easy to choose Jungkook and I didn't want an easy way out of this pickle we put ourselves into) and also, I wanted to explore the dynamic and the possible ( and weird) relationship the character and Tae would end up developing.

Also, sorry that not much happened in this chapter. I wanted to establish where everyone was at at this point in the story and kinda wanted a more chill chapter after all the chaos in the previous one.

Love you all and see you in a couple of days ❤️