Claim your fate

chapter 16

Felix was chewing on some broccoli when Hyunjin entered their home. He followed the noise of clanking plates to the kitchen, which seemed to be Felix's favorite place. He had an array of foods in front of him, cutting and chopping, and chomping on some of the green stuff. Only when he turned to open the fridge did he see Hyunjin. His face lit up.

"Hi!" he greeted, digging around the fridge before pulling out a package of mozzarella string cheese. "Want some?"

Hyunjin shook his head. "No thanks, love."

"You sure?" Felix asked, but he set the package on the counter anyway. Hyunjin watched as he unwrapped a stick and began to eat it, not even peeling the cheese. Where's the fun in that? "It's super good for the baby. So is broccoli."

Hyunjin was so happy to see Felix already eating healthy for their baby. He stepped further into the kitchen and wrapped Felix up in his arms. "I love you," he said, lips against Felix's soft hair.

"I love you," Felix replied, tucking his arms between his and Hyunjin's body.

---

After a rather good lunch, they curled up onto the bed and began to look up things about their baby. Felix held the iPad between them and tapped away at the screen.

"The baby is the size of a blueberry!" Felix exclaimed, pointing to the screen. "And he's a quarter of an inch long." He held up his thumb and pointer finger and made a quarter of an inch space between them. "That's so tiny! Tiny baby."

"And," Hyunjin spoke, reading a sentence from the screen. "He's developing one hundred brain cells a minute. Gonna be a smart one."

"Well, duh." Felix rolled his eyes. "He's our baby. Course he's gonna be smart." He paused to smile up at Hyunjin. "And his arms and legs are developing."

"And his kidneys," Hyunjin said.

They read some more about their baby, and then they looked up what's happening with Felix's body. Hyunjin wanted to know these things.

"Going to the bathroom a lot?" Hyunjin asked him, scrolling up and down the page they were on. Felix had given him the iPad and laid down beside him. Hyunjin was still propped up on the pillows.

"More than you know," was Felix's reply.

"Sensitive, swollen nipples?"

He could feel Felix's eye roll. "Yes. So don't touch them."

It was tempting. "Of course not, baby. Nausea and vomiting?"

"Did earlier this morning." Felix pouted. "You weren't here to help me."

Hyunjin placed his hand on Felix's inner thigh and rubbed it up and down. "Sorry, baby. Next time I will be. And all of the times after that. I promise."

"Good."

"Have any cravings lately?"

"Isn't that too early?" Felix asked.

"Apparently not."

"Well," Felix said, turning over onto his side. "I'll let you know when I do."

"Please do. What about fatigue?" Hyunjin looked down at Felix, who had his eyes closed.

"Maybe some. It's not overwhelming, but it's there," Felix replied. "I can handle it."

Hyunjin clicked the iPad off and sat it on the nightstand. "Felix, I'm not messing around. If you're tired, sleep. Don't you dare ignore it. That can be dangerous." He was leaning over Felix, propped up on one elbow.

Felix blinked his eyes open and stared up at Hyunjin. "Hey, calm down. I'm not gonna ignore it. I promise."

Hyunjin hesitated, and then nodded. "Okay. And you're going to tell me about every symptom you have, okay? I want to be in this with you one hundred percent."