What to Expect When Expecting in an Omegaverse: Minsung

Epilogue.

Two months have passed before Jisung knew it- time has never been known to wait around- and it's alarming how quickly it passes even when doing nothing. It's November and the leaves have rapidly transitioned to warm shades of reds and yellows. The weather is mild and pleasant this time of year, but it will soon be too cold to enjoy going outdoors comfortably.

Over the months that passed in a blink of an eye, Jisung found himself withdrawing from Minho. He's anxious and skittish; he's afraid to say the wrong things and resorts to sometimes saying nothing at all. Minho is patient and caring still. The older cares for him and encourages him, but gives the younger the space he seems to need. The space makes Jisung anxious too. Everything makes him scared.

"Look, Sung" Minho chuckles as he bends down to pick something up from the ground. They're at a small local park on a walk with Minhee. The park is mostly empty; it creates a nice atmosphere for enjoying the pleasant weather without it being too busy. The omega had been mostly quiet for the bulk of their little hike and he only really spoke when Minho prompted him to. "It reminds me of you" the alpha smiles as he shows Jisung a rock he'd just picked up from the ground. It's an obvious attempt to warm the younger man up- something Minho has started to do frequently now.

"It's a rock, hyung" the omega responds with a light huff of laughter. The older smiles at him with his lopsided grin and sparkling eyes as he watches Jisung inspect his rock. "It is a nice rock though." He ultimately compliments it, just to make the alpha happy and Minho laughs lightly in satisfaction.

"Yeah, it's very pretty. Just like you." Minho compliments and the omega gives him a soft but sad smile in response. The words only make Jisung more unsure; he doesn't know what to think.

Minho doesn't speak again and the mood between them seems awkward and tense. They continue their walk with Minho quietly carrying Minhee in her sling on his chest. She's facing away from him so she could take in the environment and develop her little mind. Her legs kick occasionally as she looks around alertly at their surroundings. The alpha wordlessly adjusts her knitted cap before sighing.

"Okay Jisung, I don't want to make you uncomfortable and I've been trying to- to give you space and time to feel better, or maybe figure out what's going on... but I'm kind of worried. You don't seem like yourself, and you're really distant and quiet. I looked up stuff about postpartum depression, and I get it if you're feeling overwhelmed or just not like yourself anymore. I don't want you to think you can't talk to me though, and I feel like you're pushing me away" Minho suddenly begins. By the time he's done speaking and looking at Jisung with worried attention, the omega is already feeling guilty. Of course Minho would do research on how to help the omega, and even if he was off with his theory, he still cared enough to try. Minho deserves so much better.

"I- I don't know. I guess you're right; not about me being depressed, but... I have been distant." Jisung replies with a sigh laced with heavy emotion. "I'm sorry." Is the only thing Jisung can think to say, as he's too afraid to explain himself but he knows he should. He has to, he's not being fair to Minho if he doesn't.

"Is it something I did? Did- have I... Did I do something wrong? I guess I haven't been paying attention well, I just don't kn-" Minho seems to feel insecure because he looks away from the younger as he speaks.

"No, hyung. It's not you, it's me" Jisung stops him from taking that train of thought any further. The alpha lets out a short humorless snort.

"I think I've heard that before, but maybe not in this same type of relationship- or situation, I guess... so, if it's you, what's going on? It's obvious that you're pulling away from me, and I get it if that's what you feel is right. I kind of just want to know why, or what caused it?" The alpha asks, and his tone is tense and guarded. Hurt and insecurity are unsuccessfully concealed from someone that knows him, like Jisung.