After returning from healer Kang's cottage, the pack had a simple lunch to celebrate. Yoongi, who normally took on the position of cooking, had been banned from the kitchen. He insisted that he was fine, just pregnant, but was forced to sit down by his mates.

"You've cooked us so many meals, let them cook for you, at least for today," Seokjin patted the back of Yoongi's hand as the younger sighed. Yoongi pouted, nodding. Seeing his mates excitedly busy in the small kitchen while he had to sit still, he felt a little bored.

"Well, this is my vision every late afternoon," Seokjin added, a soft smile blooming on his cherry lips. Yoongi and the oldest alpha were sitting next to the round dining table, facing the kitchen entrance. He glanced over at Yoongi and continued.

"You being there, quietly and peacefully, gave the feeling of home. It doesn't mean that the kids don't make me safe, the chaos in front of me is new and interesting though. It's just, the scene was more familiar with the image of you there, which reassured me a lot. I realize how much we have relied on you. You are so, so amazing, Yoongi ah."

Before Yoongi could reply, a loud scream from the kitchen got his attention and made him chuckle. The fried fish in the boiling pan suddenly jumped out and Namjoon jumped too. Hoseok hissed at the cooking oil on his shirt while Jimin laughed out loud, patting the shoulder of a dazed Namjoon again and again. Meanwhile, Taehyung and Jungkook were in their own world, playing around with flour like small kids. Without him, the kitchen was no longer a kitchen, but Yoongi was very fond of it.

"Before this little one is born," Yoongi pointed to his abdomen, smiling brightly. Everything was still like a dream until now. If this was really only his fantasy, he hoped he'd never wake up.

"We have to learn to deal with our five big kids."

"Right, right," Seokjin giggled, hands on thighs and shoulders squaring out of habit. Yoongi watched him talk with amusement.

"I thought Kookie would be my only child before I met you all. And now, we have a little sweet on the way. It is such a blessing."

Yoongi just smiled and didn't reply. The seven of them had lived together as a family for so long, yet it was still like yesterday when the five first met Seokjin and the youngest alpha at the destined theater, the time Jungkook was a very young boy, always shyly bowed his head and whispered to his uncle Jin as he met a stranger. Yoongi noticed time flew so fast and things were getting better and better.

***

Hoseok had never forgotten giving the goodbye kisses to Yoongi and his other mates before going to work after supper. As a lightkeeper, he couldn't leave the ocean waves alone in the dark even for a day. Yoongi sometimes wished to sleep in Hoseok's arms as the night came, but he couldn't selfishly keep him to himself when the sailors needed him, too. Today, as usual, he kissed Yoongi's petal lips as a goodbye, but not only that, he also knelt down on one knee to kiss Yoongi's flat belly. He hadn't shown yet but kissing his tum became a lovely habit of his mates.

"I will be back before you know it," Hoseok reassured Yoongi while he crouched down to scent him right in front of the main door. The omega didn't usually act needy but lately, he was extra clingy. He blamed it on his pregnancy brain and it bothered him a lot, but Hoseok and the others found it very adorable.

Yoongi clutched his fingers to Hoseok's hem of khaki jacket, pouted, and pleaded for one more kiss. Hoseok laughed so keenly, then gave him one more kiss, two more kisses, three more kisses, and many, many kisses, until he chuckled and pushed Hoseok out.

The moment Hoseok walked out of the wicket gate and turned to wave at him, Yoongi saw Namjoon just arrived back in time. Hoseok quickly climbed into Namjoon's carriage just to give him a kiss. Yoongi touched his chest, where his heart was pounding, as a hand hidden in the black leather glove of Namjoon ran through Hoseok's hair to pull him closer and kiss him deeper, behind them was a green meadow and golden orange sunset slowly falling. Because he already knew his mates loved each other as much as he loved them and they loved him, Yoongi felt so much grateful.

Namjoon plopped down on the couch, loosening his tie when he started complaining about his students. Seokjin was sitting by the fireplace reading a book, and he glanced at Namjoon once as he heard the story and then focused on the page again, staying comfortably quiet.

"They kept making fun of Dohyun because he's an alpha but he knows how to braid hair with wildflowers. He was teased while styling Yerim's hair. Oh, thank you, Yoon dear. Tae still not back?" Namjoon spoke at once and took a warm cup from Yoongi. They didn't let him cook, but at least he was allowed in the kitchen to make tea.

"Jiminie will go to the teahouse to tidy up and they will go home together. I feel a bit bad to have to stay at home during this time and let Tae work alone. By the way, how are things with that boy Dohyun?" Yoongi sat down next to Namjoon, reaching out his hand to rub the alpha's knee. Namjoon took a sip and sighed.

"Well, I made the kids write short notes on self-criticism and could only encourage Dohyun that his talent was worthy of recognition, although I don't know if braiding is a talent or not. The boy still looked sad after school, I'll check on him tomorrow."

"You did the right thing, alpha. Maybe Dohyun is still upset now but he will thank you for your words someday."

"Right? I'm so afraid that I said something wrong, you know. I'm very confident in teaching the kids knowledge but not sure if I can be their mental support." Namjoon smiled proudly when Yoongi praised him. After being scented by Yoongi for reassurance, the alpha lay down and rested his head on Yoongi's lap.

In the past, Yoongi had often seen Namjoon's stern and firm look. As a commander, he was undaunted, unafraid, and was always a confident leader who made decisive decisions that determined lots of people's survival. Ever since he took off his military rank and left the armed forces, having an idyllic life as a teacher at a small school in the town with his mates, Namjoon was finally able to take off his armor covering his weakness and fear, which was already full of scratches and pains, to live normally like the others. He was allowed to joke, allowed to cry. He could be scared and could be weak, too. He was tender and soft. He no longer hesitated to rely on those he held dear.

"You should probably learn from Dohyun how to braid hair. If our budy is a girl, you can style her hair with pretty daisies when she grows up." Yoongi said, massaging Namjoon's temples and the alpha closed his eyes.

"Oh our noble, beautiful, and celestial little bride, please look at her angelic hair braided by her greatest, heroic father with pure flowers of delight, Taehyung will certainly say so," Seokjin casually imitated Taehyung's tone when he closed the book, making both Yoongi and Namjoon giggle.

"Maybe we should invite Dohyun over to dinner."

Namjoon just hummed at Yoongi's words then fell into a peaceful sleep. Yoongi yawned too and Seokjin continued reading the novel. The space in the living room was cozy and pleasant, only the whispering sound from the fireplace could be heard in the ears.