Snail Concept 🐌 yungi [⏹]

7

Yunho has been sitting in his room all day. The contractions he's feeling are increasingly limiting his ability to do much. Their frequency is getting closer together. Although not as long as before, they are far more painful. Unlike earlier when he could hold back the groans, this time is different. Yunho can't stop groaning, quietly whimpering as the cramps in his belly intensify. This also affects Mingi, who can't bring himself to leave the room, even just to bring food and water for Yunho.

"Can you still bear it? We're going to the hospital now."

Mingi starts gathering all their things, a bit hurried with the impromptu plan. The estimated due date is still about a week away. Clearly, he's caught off guard. However, looking at Yunho's condition, it seems like it's time for him to give birth.

After calling Yunho's parents, Mingi rushes to the hospital, unable to stop glancing at Yunho lying in the back seat. His expression hasn't changed since this morning. Exactly at seven in the evening, Mingi arrives at the hospital with a few nurses approaching him.

"Alright, you can start pushing now."

Mingi tightly holds Yunho's fingers, encouraging him as the attending doctor gives instructions on delivering the baby. Yunho's parents wait outside, hoping for the safety of their son and grandchild. Almost desperate after more than three hours without hearing the baby's cry. Only Yunho's agonizing cries followed by many directions from the doctor and other medical staff inside.

"Mingi...."

Yunho's grip on Mingi's hand gradually weakens, along with his pushing that comes to a halt. He just takes a deep breath, exhausted with all his strength drained. Even with Mingi continuously encouraging him, he still can't deliver any part of his baby. More than five hours have passed, just pushing hard without any progress.

"It hurts... I'm tired."

Mingi almost cries seeing Yunho's desperation. Just imagining it makes him ache, especially if he were to experience it himself. He repeatedly kisses Yunho's hand, wiping the sweat flooding his face and neck.

The doctor quickly examines his condition, identifying the issue for Yunho's first childbirth.

"The dilation process is too slow, almost stopping. The only way to safely deliver the baby is through a c-section. We're waiting for the parents' approval."

Yunho's tears flow even more after hearing the news. He wanted to give birth to his baby naturally, to see and hug the little one later. Not like this.

"Mingi, forgive me. I should have brought Kyunghwa into the world more smoothly."

"No, Yunho. It's okay. You both will be fine."

Yunho's parents have to restrain Mingi to follow the procedure, waiting outside the operating room as the medical staff takes Yunho in. His sitting position is never comfortable. His fingers are anxiously intertwined, even with Mr. Jeong, who is now trying to calm him down. His eyes keep glancing at the operating room door, waiting for good news to emerge from inside. Cold sweat flows even more than before, full of anxiety with the lingering discomfort.

Only at that moment, Mingi thought he was dreaming when his wound healed with the sound of a loud cry. He instantly hugged Mr. Jeong next to him, shedding tears of joy at Kyunghwa's birth.

A medical staff member comes, asking Mingi to enter the surgery room to help cut the baby's umbilical cord. Yunho lies on the operating table, unable to see the beauty of the baby he fought for.

"You did it, Yunho. Our daughter is so beautiful." Mingi takes a moment to gently stroke Yunho's hand before following instructions to cut Kyunghwa's umbilical cord.

She looks healthy. Although her eyes haven't opened yet, her cries and movements make Mingi feel warm.

"You can wait in the operating room for skin-to-skin care. Hearing your heartbeat will make the baby feel more calm."

Mingi wants to accompany Yunho, but someone he cares deeply about is waiting for attention. Carefully, he lets the medical staff place Kyunghwa on his chest, followed by Mingi hugging her gently. The cries that filled Mingi's ears before are now silent. Kyunghwa seems comfortable in Mingi's embrace, moving her tiny fingers slightly before tilting her head, starting to open her eyes.

Yunho's parents who witnessed the moment can only smile happily, unable to react further to the long-awaited birth.

"You really look like Yunho." Mingi murmurs softly, continuing to caress Kyunghwa's body.

Yunho only comes out of the operating room about thirty minutes later. Various medical staff members follow him to another room. Mingi is with him, of course. Waiting for Yunho to regain consciousness, sitting next to him while playing with his limp fingers.

"Mingi?"

Mingi couldn't be happier seeing Yunho slowly opening his eyes, smiling in relief after going through various frightening things.

"Is Kyunghwa okay?"

"She's fine. Very fine. Kyunghwa is as beautiful as your eyes. She'll be here soon." Mingi gently holds Yunho's hand, giving him a gaze full of happiness. "You did great, Yunho. Kyunghwa will surely be proud to have parents as strong as you to bring her into the world."

The long-awaited baby has finally arrived, complete with all the clothes Mingi brought earlier. The nurse who brought her carefully lays Kyunghwa next to Yunho, congratulating the new family in front of them.

Yunho's tears fall again as he sees Kyunghwa's face. He thought there would be problems with his baby after all the bad things he went through. As it turns out, there isn't. Kyunghwa is truly healthy.

"The doctor said you can go home after three to five days. Don't worry. I'll take care of both of you here."

Mingi kisses Yunho's forehead before joining in embracing Kyunghwa, wrapped in the soft, gentle-colored cloth Yunho chose earlier. He is truly happy, forgetting all his worries, seeing what he dreamed of. A new family member.

"Just waiting for Kyunghwa to become a big sister."

Mingi smiles at the thought.

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The snail concept, which means the concept of snails where during mating, they penetrate each other and can both become pregnant, is similar to what Yunho and Mingi experience here. But here, they take turns being pregnant, haha.