𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 || 𝐉𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐧

VII

Their pup, apparently, is dead set in taking their time.

The next time Jeonghan takes a pregnancy test, it comes back negative. So, they try again. And again, and again , until Joshua and Jeonghan are fucking so often buying tests everytime becomes a waste of money. They sleep together when they want to, and Jeonghan pees on a stick every two weeks before they wait with anticipation on the bathroom floor for yet another single line.

Two months go by, and nothing.

It’s disappointing, but they’re trying to take it day by day. Every now or then one of them will get in their own head about it, but one of the nice things about doing this with you best friend is that they’re good at reassuring each other — that they have time, and that even if their pup isn’t here right now, they’re at least having fun.

“Fun”, at this point, is almost an understatement; Joshua and Jeonghan have come a long way since their first time in Joshua's apartament. There’s some things about having his best friend like this that have started to feel so natural to Joshua, it’s weird to think of a time he didn’t know how to take Jeonghan apart, or his hand didn’t fit perfectly around his waist. If at first they were both worried about how this could change their dynamics, it’s a relief to know that what matters is still the same: they’re best friends above everything. It’s just that now, there’s a new and more intimate part of that — it’s new and sometimes it can be fragile, but it feels right , like another huge piece in the puzzle of their lifelong relationship.

All in all, what does change, happens so slowly and progressively it fits into their routine like small tilts in the axis that they get used to before even properly noticing. There’s physical stuff, like bruises on Joshua's neck and the many changes of clothes he keeps at Jeonghan's apartament, and then there’s some more sutil things, like the way they seem to naturally gravitate towards each other when they’re out together.

Joshua likes to think he’s good of keeping note of them, for selfish reasons or not. That’s why it’s so hard to believe he let something as huge as this pass right under his nose.

“Hey Yong, what’s up?” He asks as soon as he picks up the phone, balancing it precariously between his ear and shoulder. “I’m getting lunch now, so I think it’s a little noisy.”

“That’s alright, I can hear you.” Taeyong says lightly. “Isn’t it a little late for you to be taking a lunch break?”

Joshua makes a non-committal noise. “You know how it is. It’s been sort of crazy in the office today so this is the only time I could squeeze an hour to myself.”

“Everything alright?” Taeyong asks.

“Yeah, don’t worry, it’s getting solved as we speak, I hope.” Joshua brushes it off, not in the mood to talk about work. “So, any reason you called? Does Jisung want to speak with me?”

“Jisung always wants to speak with you, which is why I’m having this call in the bedroom.” Taeyong scoffs, and Joshua beams by himself at the validation from his baby. “Just, you know, Jeonghan just came over for lunch.”

Joshua hesitates visibly as he sits down by himself at one of the tables. He’s known Taeyong long enough to understand that the elder would never call him in the middle of the day to talk about Jeonghan unless the conversation was actually about Joshua . This call, which initially seemed like nothing more than an innocent catch up between friends, is starting to look a lot more like bait Joshua is about to bite into.

“Hm?” He hums, sipping at his juice. “That’s nice.”

“It was, I even cooked his favorite.” Taeyong agrees. “But have you noticed anything different about Jeonghan lately?”

Joshua takes a bite out of his sandwich to stall, and tries to quickly search his mind for anything that may have brought on this ambush. “I don’t think so? Should I?”

Taeyong huffs. “Yes, you should. There’s been something bugging me for weeks about Jeonghan's scent, and I couldn’t figure out what it was— I even asked if he was pregnant, because you know omegas can feel that sometimes.”

Joshua can see the red flag being waved around frantically in front of him, a blatant warning of danger ahead . “Did you figure out what it was?”

“I did, finally. He smells weird because he smells like you , dumbfuck.”

Joshua is not proud of the way he chokes on his own food, coughing loudly and attracting the attention of other patrons around them. Taeyong waits patiently for him to recover, but Joshua's mind is still trying to process this information properly and the omega doesn’t sound very pleased by his quite intelligent “Uh…”

“So, nothing to say for yourself?” Taeyong asks, now full on the offensive. “Why are you scenting Jeonghan, and why the hell is he letting you?”

“I— Taeyong, I didn’t even realize I was doing it, I swear.” Joshua's mind catches up enough to try and defend himself. “He’s just always at my place and wearing my clothes and with everything, I don’t know, I think it was subconscious? Maybe he doesn’t even realize it either.”

“Oh, he does.” Taeyong deapans, and Joshua's heart jumps to his throat. “Because I asked him about it, and he said it wasn’t a big deal and that he doesn’t mind. Well, as the best friend to both of you, I think it’s a big deal, because I told you this could get complicated, and I was right.”

“It’s not complicated,” Joshua says, but he sounds sheepish even to himself. “My alpha is just getting a little protective because we’re trying to have a baby together, it’s alright if Jeonghan doesn’t mind.”

“Josh, you know as well as me that your alpha just wouldn’t try to scent anyone unless it’s feeling possessive of them, not just protective. He’s starting to see Jeonghan as your omega, and I’m not sure that’s a good idea right now.” Taeyong says, less confrontational and more worried.

The thought of calling Jeonghan his brings a flutter to Joshua's stomach, and the thing is, it’s not like he’s never thought about it before. He knows it’s not a good sign that his alpha feels so smug after painting Jeonghan's skin in reds and purples, or that his heart melts whenever the omega climbs into his arms before they fall asleep together — but still, Joshua has become quite good at convincing himself that this is just a side effect of sharing this type of intimacy, where they’re not only sleeping together but knotting every time, and the fact that he already loves Jeonghan.

“I get where you’re coming from, Yongie.” Joshua sighs. “But I don’t think you have to worry. Neither of us are sleeping with anyone else right now, or planning to do so in the near future, so if Hannie is not uncomfortable then it’s harmless, right?”

Taeyong is quiet for a long moment, and Joshua wants to know what’s on his mind almost as much as he’s worried to find out. When the omega speaks again, he sounds almost tired, but resigned. “Josh, you know I love you both, right? And that I’m just trying to look out for you?”

Joshua smiles a little, touched. “I know, Yongie, and I really appreciate it.”

“Yeah.” Taeyong sighs. “It’s just… this is a really dangerous line you’re walking, Josh. Try not to forget there’s a lot more at play here than just sex between friends, so please, be careful.”

Joshua knows it’s the truth, something he faces every time he gets in Jeonghan's bed. He thinks he’s being careful, or at least he’s trying to — and that’s gotta count for something. “I promise I’ll try, and for what is worth, I really didn’t scent him on purpose.”

“I guessed as much, actually.” Taeyong chuckles a little. “Not really your style to just do something like that without asking before.”

“I think my alpha is less of a gentleman than me, however.” Joshua sighs, and finally takes another bite of his food, a little more relaxed and eager to move on from the topic. “So, any chance you can get Sungie on the phone?”