--Master Zitao's Room

@Pet Kim Jongin Zitao beamed to see Jongin be treated the way the staff were treating him. Admittedly he had some reservations about Jongin being so open. He knew if anyone said anything nasty that it would upset Jongin, even though he would hide it- wanted to protect him from it as much as he could, knowing at the same time that he wouldn't be able to hide his husband away. It filled him with such pride that they were going to have a child, and that Jongin should be so at ease in his body. Nothing could have wiped the smile off his face then. Out by the pool Zitao leaned his cheek atop Jongin's head when his husband sat down with him and pressed a kiss to his temple before he was up and off to wade in to the shallow end of the pool.

@Master Huang Zitao Jongin handed the paperwork over at the front desk and greeted the instructors with a smile so bright that they immediately fell in love with him. They were quick to offer their assistance in helping Jongin get to the bathroom to change into his swimming gear (not that he was /quite/ pregnant enough to require such assistance). Once he was changed, he came and sat beside Zitao and the other couples on the steps beside the pool, leaning into his husband and feeling glad that the pool was indoors and heated.

"Welcome everyone!" The lady greeted brightly, folding her arms over the clipboard holding the names of all in attendance. "We're going to start off first with some activities for the mamas. So daddies, you're going to have to wait where you are for a little while, okay everyone? Come on mamas!"

Her chipperness made Jongin happy too, and he was quick to scramble away from Zitao to get in the shallow end of the pool.

@Pet Kim Jongin The book he was reading being packed confused Zitao. When would he get the chance to read... Just what would this class consist of. Obviously water. And how could Jongin think he would get bored? Okay, he would probably get bored. But, of the repetition of the exercises and the noise and the smell. Certainly not enough to start reading, though. It was thoughtful of Jongin, Zitao guessed. "Sure." He said, moving to Jongin's side of the bed to help him up. Wait- paperwork? What paperwork. How on Earth he was so confused about a simple aquatic mothers' class had Zitao absolutely boggled. Unless the paperwork wasn't for the class but then why would it be in the bag. It didn't matter that they were out the door five minutes behind schedule; less waiting at the train station then. They were even early to the class.

@Master Huang Zitao Jongin beamed and positively purred at the affection and gentleness. Zitao had gotten quite good at realising when he was needed and the younger man appreciated it greatly. He knew his husband was antsy to head off, so he gestured over his shoulder at the dresser. "I packed everything already. Swimming gear, money, snacks, paperwork... And your book, in case you get bored." Rubbing at his eyes like a child, Jongin made a rather pathetic attempt at sitting up. "Could you prop me up, please?" He said, struggling with the rather obtrusive lump that was their child.

@Pet Kim Jongin Zitao drew Jongin into him without hesitation, smiling broadly at the news of Jongin's employment. "Congratulations, Jongin!" This was great news. Not quite ideal timing with the baby and all- still, Zitao had noticed Jongin getting restless working at the call centre. At first he had thought it might have just been early pregnancy symptoms but it just didn't add up. "You did so well, I'm so proud of you!" The older man said, running his thumb over Jongin's cheekbone. Filled with joy, and subsequently enthusiastic, Zitao wanted to be able to jump up and into action. Sometimes though, sleepy pregnant Jongin was not to be messed with, so Zitao let him bask in his accomplishment until he woke fully.

@Master Huang Zitao Jongin started at the sound of Zitao's voice, opening his eyes with some difficulty and giving a gummy smile when he saw his husband there before him. "Baby~" He squeaked back, trying to tug Zitao close to him so he could bury his nose in the elder's neck. "I got the job." Jongin smiled against the curve of Zitao's throat, kissing his skin a little bit and giggling in that sleepy, distracted way. "I'm starting next week." When he pulled back it was simply to stare up at the Chinese man, eyes sparkling with happiness and pride in himself. "Did I do well?"

@Pet Kim Jongin It just so happened that Zitao taught a bunch of expat's wives and that day was the day he taught them. They spoke in both English and Mandarin to learn and maintain language abilities, and it was from them that he learned about the miracles of fish oil for cravings. After having admitted to feeling mean when he tried to keep Jongin from foods he was craving, guilty when he gave in and seriously, seriously, confused that there was not real nutritional purpose for the whole mess, they'd mentioned it. He hadn't been apprehensive about trying it but they hadn't needed prompting to give their own accounts. Zitao was convinced it would work, so he bought a bottle of the stuff on his way home. At home, he found Jongin curled up bed, snoring away. "Baby~" He said, climbing in the bed gently, facing him. "Wake up, it's time to get ready for our class."

@Master Huang Zitao Whilst Zitao thought they had both agreed to keeping "their" diet (aka Jongin's and everyone knew it) healthy, Jongin was in a bit of a grey zone when it came to keeping it clean. He obviously only wanted the best for his child, and for there to be as few complications with his pregnancy as possible, but he also couldn't help when he got cravings so bad that he wanted to cry and wail. Crying and wailing over a jar of pickles is not a pretty sight. Maybe if I'm in the mood, Jongin thought to himself, I'll eat a salad for Zitao while we're out.

---

The job interview couldn't have gone better. The managers of the clinic fawned over Jongin's small bump and listened eagerly to everything he had to say. It was nice for the boy to talk unhindered for so long about his past- airing it without feeling like there would be consequences.

He was hired.

Returning home a few hours before they were scheduled to leave, Jongin crawled into bed, buried his face in Zitao's pillow- his shoes were still on, too, mind- and fell asleep as deeply as a hibernating bear.

@Pet Kim Jongin Zitao knew his day would not be as physically packed as it usually could be, and that he'd work up an appetite a way, because he was basically always hungry. As was Jongin, with the pregnancy and all. "Dumplings are good when you're hungry." Not necessarily 'good' in the wholesome and nourishing sense of the word, rather they were quite filling. They had agreed that diet was important while pregnant and had been paying great attention to what Jongin should and should not eat--except when cravings kicked in. There seemed to be nothing in common with the things that his husband was craving, other than general lack of nutritional value and sweetness, and finding an explanation for this was not easy. Since there seemed to be no correlation between cravings and nutritional needs, Zitao was on a mission to stop the cravings.

@Master Huang Zitao Jongin nodded happily as he listened to Zitao accurately repeat the orders he had been given last night. In all of his extensive readings about pregnancy, Jongin had come across the idea of exercising in the water multiple times, and wanted to try it out. Being in the water took the pressure off his swollen, sore feet and helped alleviate the weight of the- admittedly still small- child he was carrying. Whenever he came across a new idea like the aquatic mothers' class, Jongin made Zitao read all the readings as well, so they were both equally informed on whatever the subject matter might be. "Yes, that's right. Afterwards, I want to eat dumplings in the Chinese markets. Let's go there." He looked up at his husband with shiny eyes and cheeks that were turning pink as he slowly overheated beneath his layers of clothing.

@Pet Kim Jongin "Sounds like a plan." Ah, yes. Aquatic mothers' class. Zitao was curious as to what exactly that entailed and hoped that clear pool water was at least slightly easier to cope with. He couldn't remember if the water Jongin had tried teaching him to swim in was clear or not, and he couldn't remember if Jongin had told him that he was swimming. Probably blocked it out, but babies didn't understand phobias and Jongin wanted to do the class so Zitao would get in the water if he had to. What exactly for, he couldn't imagine. "The class is at 5; I need to be home by 4 so we can leave by 4:30." Obviously the job interview was a late morning/early afternoon one. "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten."

@Master Huang Zitao Zitao was pretty sure that the baby was a boy, and Jongin had never gotten any real sense of the gender himself, so he let it be. Besides, the familiar Chinese syllables were comforting to Jongin. It made him happy when he heard his love speaking in his native tongue; it made him smile. "I'll take the train I think. Too many people are packed too close on the bus and they smell and my nose is sensitive." Jongin sniffed as though to punctuate his point. Normally he didn't care about such small things, but the pregnancy /was/ doing a number on him and he was sensitive in almost every way- especially sensitive to smell and touch. "Do you remember when you have to be home so we can go to the class together?"

@Pet Kim Jongin Zitao smiled and kissed the inside of Jongin's wrist before seeking food for his grumbling belly. Bowl piled with muesli and yoghurt, he returned to the table, trying and failing to recall waking up at all the previous night. He was completely sure that he was useless to Jongin sometimes. "Xiǎo wángzǐ your daddy's bladder is no place to sit." With nowhere to be in a hurry Zitao took his time with his breakfast. Actually having time of a morning to wake up instead of throwing himself into action was new, and he liked it. Some mornings he couldn't sit still, though; some mornings it was absolutely necessary that he launch himself out the door. "How are you getting to your interview, and what time is it?"

@Master Huang Zitao Jongin continued to loosely cling to the hand on his belly, enjoying the petting immensely. Zitao was softer around the edges now, emotionally (and most certainly /not/ physically), and it was quite a lovely change to be privy to. While the older man read over the application, Jongin gently d his messy hair, setting it right atop his head. "You're handsome." Jongin said in lieu of an immediate answer, tracing the creased pattern Zitao's pillow had imprinted onto his cheek. He giggled. "Oh I've slept better. I kept getting cold, then hot, then cold. And the little thing keeps sitting on my bladder at night so I was making endless trips to the bathroom." A gentle sigh. "But it'll all be worth it in the end, and you only woke up once. But you were pretty out of it, so I wouldn't be surprised if you don't remember."

@Pet Kim Jongin Zitao sort of just blinked at the news of Jongin being jobless. He had been working less hours since the announcement that Jongin was pregnant. They were comfortable, financially, but they were starting to set up the spare room as a nursery and every time they went past any section of any shop that was baby-themed Jongin got this look in his eyes that worried Zitao he would not be able to be restrained. Not that he was complaining: spending money was a very gratifying feeling (and Jongin was so picky that they hadn't actually made any major purchases yet). In any case, they would need two incomes to raise a child. So he was relieved to hear that his husband had a job interview that day- even if a little confused about how he had missed that memo. He sat beside Jongin, looking over the job description and application, gently circling his thumb. "That sounds really great!" Being completely unpracticed in the process of job applications, he really had no idea what either of them should be expecting. However, he did know that no one could possibly be better for that job than his husband. "Like a baby." Zitao responded. "You?"

@Master Huang Zitao "I quit my job," Jongin said around a mouthful of food as he beamed guilelessly up at his lover. "And I have a new job interview today." He put his fork down and swallowed his mouthful before pointing to the papers in front of him, his free hand clinging to Zitao's on his belly. "It's at a youth centre. I would be coaching young people and helping them to get off the streets and lead better lives." Jongin felt passionate about the concept, and was no longer ashamed to share the story of his dark past. If he could get out of it, then others could too. He would help them... If he nailed this interview. Maybe he should have told his husband a little earlier, but Jongin felt very scatterbrained and spread-thin as of late; constantly having to gather his thoughts to focus on one thing rather than ten things at once. "...Did you sleep well?" He smiled wider, happy to see Zitao as usual.

@Pet Kim Jongin Time both flew past and dragged on for the expectant couple. The dragging may or may not have had something to do with their counting the days until Jongin's due date. Zitao had found an app too. It told them all the tiny little developmental milestones that the baby was going through, like organ development and size. Accuracy was not assured as conception was predicted based on the menstural cycle- Jongin didn't menstruated. But the two of them were so excited that it simply didn't matter. Waking up to find the bed empty was a surprise to Zitao, and surprises were occurring more frequently the further Jongin progressed. By the time Zitao made it down the stairs Jongin was already dressed and fed and huddled up...at the table. Okay... "Good morning." He said cheerily, kissing the top of Jongin's head and rubbing his belly.

@Master Huang Zitao For once, Jongin woke hours earlier than Zitao. He went through his usual process of dry heaving over the toilet bowl and taking a quick shower, before heading down to the kitchen to fold himself into a chair at the kitchen table. It was only the beginning of autumn, the weather uncharacteristically warm, but Jongin often got the chills, and was currently swathed head to toe in soft winter clothing and a blanket. Their baby would be born in the middle of winter, so the boy would have an excuse to cuddle him or her close nigh-on constantly. Jongin nibbled on some leftovers that one normally wouldn't associate with breakfast as he pored over the stack of papers he had in front of him. Today, he was applying for a new job and tonight he was dragging Zitao to an aquatic mothers' class.

@Master Huang Zitao [ Imma type you up something soon... Idk when but it will be soon ]

@Pet Kim Jongin (What's happening with this?)

@Pet Kim Jongin Supremely satisfied with himself for having shut Jongin up (in a manner of speaking), Zitao didn't try to push the . He was rather busy by then, anyway; unravelling and completely losing it. The two ended up in their bedroom, blissfully and sweaty, curled up together. Zitao had carried Jongin up the steps upon realising that he probably should have been more gentle with his husband, given his circumstances, but Jongin didn't seem to care one bit so the flash of guilt subsided quickly.

@Master Huang Zitao Annoyed that he wasn't eliciting quite the reaction he had wanted to make himself feel special and needed, Jongin pouted and let himself be moved around to best fit what Zitao wanted to do with him. He didn't want to answer because his answers weren't working, no matter how outrageous he made them. It was clear to him in that moment that Zitao must have known how much he meant to his younger lover; known that nothing Jongin could say would phase him because he was so secure in the love he received.

Jongin was vocal about everything that happened from that point on: the bite, the pace, the new angle. He loved it all and he no longer heard the bell that swung heavily between his legs. The was just so unexpected and delicous. There was no warning before he came all over his own fist and the couch cushion. A small, resigned whimper of succumbing to his - but that was it. He was so relieved.

@Pet Kim Jongin Zitao bit his lip, the stutter in Jongin's breathlessly raspy voice resonating in his ear. "How wide do you spread yourself for him?" He forced Jongin's feet further apart as he spoke, spreading his legs and making him more reliant on his partner for balance.

In there current position, he could see straight down Jongin's body, could see the boy touching himself. So impatient. But Zitao could hardly blame him. The slow pace was torturous. He could no longer be bothered to keep it up; and, with Jongin's legs spread he was at the perfect height for Zitao to ram right in.

"And you're a good little ; you always beg for more. Harder, faster." Zitao said, biting down on the sweet spot below Jongin's ear, quickening his pace.

@Master Huang Zitao The words made Jongin so hot under the collar that he was almost certain his skin was on fire. He didn't fantasise over or lust after Seongkyun, but there was something appealing in a primal way about Zitao picturing him with other men. Jongin loved it when his husband got jealous- always had- and it was thus that the accusation was softened. He knew that Zitao needed him all for himself and that the older man would never even think of sharing. He was a , but not for Seongkyun.

"Underwear!" He gasped out, finding it difficult to breathe with the hand around his throat. "Sometimes I don't wear un-underwear to work... So... So he can s-see everything."

Jongin scrabbled blindly for his own and began to it quickly the minute he got a good grip.

"He's so much b-bigger than you, Zitao." Jongin's eyes had dilated and he was staring hazily at the ceiling. "Fu... s me so much harder. Better."

@Pet Kim Jongin "," Zitao purred into the skin of Jongin's neck. Repeatedly pulling all the way out and slowly pushing back in, he snuck his other hand up Jongin's front, only stopping once his fingers were right under Jongin's jaw, palm against his throat, grip tightening. "I bet you tell him that all the time, don't you- that you can't get enough?" Zitao aimed right at the boy's prostate. "You wear tailored pants and tuck your work shirt in just to show off that sweet, little , don't you? In the hopes that he will take you into the bathroom in your lunch hour, press you up against the wall and you. You're such a , Jongin."

@Master Huang Zitao Jongin longed to shut his eyes and bask in the satisfaction at having got what he wanted; but the grip on his hair was keeping his eyes wide. Without being able to see what he was doing, he felt around blindly for the back of the couch, feeling cold lube dripping down his back for a split second before Zitao pushed into him in one, well-practiced . Jongin gripped the top of the cushion that his hands had found and he tried to swallow his high-pitched whimper to no avail, what with his head tilted back like that.

Greedy, Jongin decided to push for more.

"S-Seongkyun," He stuttered out, voice tight with desire. "Oh, please, Seongkyun-ah. You are so /big/."

@Pet Kim Jongin Zitao yanked his devious lover up by the hair. "I'm sorry, who?" He had been thoroughly enjoying the show until that, but no matter. He reached for the lube and squeezed some onto Jongin's back where he could reach it easily with one hand otherwise occupied. Lubed up, Zitao decided Jongin didn't need warning or time to take his fingers out so, mentally thanking the man for ing himself in such a manner that his hand wasn't in the way, he shoved his length in all the way, pressing Jongin's hips into the couch with his own.

@Master Huang Zitao "You're unbelievable." Jongin hissed through grit teeth, embarrassment colouring his face bright pink.

Regardless, he was so wound up by this point that he doubted he could reign himself in if he tried. So, instead, Jongin shoved two fingers deep into himself, curling them upwards against his prostate and arranging himself into a position that was comfortable for him to maintain the ing motion. Zitao clearly had no idea how one went about themselves because whenever Jongin did it, it wasn't awkwardly bent over a couch in a position that made it difficult to go as deep as he needed. In fact, there was only one thing that could go as deep as he needed, and that was Zitao's . When it became apparent to Jongin, third finger joining the others, that he wasn't going to win this battle, he decided he could still have fun with it.

He let out a low moan, the bell still tinkling loud and clear whenever he rutted forward against the couch.

"Ah, Seongkyun~" He moaned louder, blowing the hair out of his eyes and pushing his fingers as deep as he could as though to punctuate the significance of the name he had so wantonly groaned out.

@Pet Kim Jongin It took Zitao a minute to process the fact that Jongin was off the couch--reason being that pregnancy hormones hadn't been considered in his calculations--so Jongin was standing before him, behind the couch, before he could react. The idea of making Jongin himself wasn't actually altogether unappealing. Zitao grabbed his lover's hand and held it palm up to squeeze a generous portion of lube onto his fingers. "Go on, then." He said, having Jongin bent over the back of the couch in no time. Lubed hand free, of course.

@Master Huang Zitao Jongin was quickly losing his patience with the scenario because Zitao just didn't seem to want to do /anything/. There was a bell tied around his that was somehow supposed to make him want with his lover more than he already did; he was kneeling on a couch shaky and harder than ever; and Zitao was ing around upstairs in search of lube. Tired, confused, aroused, desperate. Jongin just wanted to be seen to and seen to thoroughly.

Scowling with all the force of a mildly annoyed puppy, Jongin moved several muscles all at once and got off the couch, roughly snatching the bottle of lube out of his husband's hand.

He grabbed Zitao by the front of his pants and sharply tugged him close to growl, "I don't want to have to myself, Zitao, but so help me, I will."