Claimed by the Crown | Taejin

16. Chapter Sixteen

"Are you okay?" Namjoon asked, his brow furrowed with concern as he watched his husband struggle to rise from the bed. The pained expression on Hoseok's face was difficult to ignore, like a shadow cast over his usually bright demeanor. With a quick attempt at reassurance, Hoseok managed a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He slowly pushed himself upright, his feet meeting the floor before he slipped on the bed slippers waiting by the bedside.

"I'm fine," he replied, his voice steady despite the lingering hint of discomfort. To shift the focus away from his unease, he asked, "Are you traveling today?"

Namjoon didn't reply immediately; his gaze stayed locked on his husband, who was looking at him with a smile. "Do you want me to tell Taehyung you need the day off? You don't seem fine to me."

Hoseok crossed his arms tightly over his chest, his frustration and exhaustion showing. "That's really not necessary," he said, sounding somewhat irritated. "I'm perfectly fine. I don't understand why you keep insisting there's something wrong." He took a moment to search for the right words before he continued. "If I were feeling unwell or thought I needed to miss work today, I would have said something when I woke up. You know me well enough to trust that." The annoyance in his tone was clear; he wanted the repeated questioning from his Alpha to end.

Namjoon ran a hand through his hair, a frown creasing his forehead as he watched Hoseok's unusual demeanor. Seeing his husband so visibly annoyed was rare, and the sight tugged at his heart. "I guess this is part of the pregnancy moodiness they talk about," he said out loud, trying to make sense of things.

"If you say you're fine, then I believe you," he reassured while looking at Hoseok, though doubt lingered in his mind. "I'm sorry if it felt like I didn't before. It's just that you don't seem like your usual self this morning. You look like you're in pain..." Namjoon began, but the words hung in the air as he realized he might be misreading the situation. "But I guess I was wrong."

Hoseok sighed, his tone more sharp than usual. "It's fine. I'm just going to shower so I don't end up being late for work. There's a lot of work waiting for me today." With that, he hurriedly made his way to the bathroom, the sound of the door closing echoing in their quiet bedroom.

As the bathroom door clicked shut behind Hoseok, he quickly pressed his trembling hand over his mouth, desperately trying to stifle the cries that threatened to escape him. Tears cascaded down his cheeks, and he leaned against the door for support, his other hand instinctively cradling his belly, wincing at the dull ache that radiated from within. A ripple of fear washed over him, and he couldn't help but let more tears slip free as his mind raced with worry.

He knew he had to find a way to see a doctor without his husband finding out. He needed to ensure that their baby was safe and healthy. Clenching his fists, Hoseok took a shaky breath, fighting against the anxiety that threatened to consume him.

*****

"Kim Seokjin," Taehyung began, his voice steady yet his words firm. "I will not warn you again. While my duty to you as your Alpha is important, I am also responsible to my kingdom. Staying in bed with you, no matter how tempting, will not aid me in accomplishing the tasks I have today." He gently tried to free himself from Jin's warm embrace.

Jin, his eyes softly closed, feigned ignorance of Taehyung's words. Instead, he pressed himself closer to his Alpha, molding his body against Taehyung's side as if unwilling to let go of the comfort and safety he felt enveloped by his scent. His nose nestled into the crook of Taehyung's neck, inhaling deeply, his Alpha's scent sweeping away his need for sleep and replacing it with a soothing feeling wrapped around him like a protective blanket.

"Seokjin—" Taehyung attempted to say but was interrupted by Jin's inquisitive voice. "What about our babies?" Confusion flickered across Taehyung's face as he struggled to understand Jin's sudden shift in focus. He turned slightly, his brow furrowed, searching Jin's sleepy features. "What do you mean by what about our babies? What's wrong with them?"