Taemin

It had been raining since the morning. It was running down the glass, as if it were crying with Taemin. It was too quiet in the small apartment, where everything smelled of tea and books. Taemin sat on the windowsill, hugging his knees, and looked at the wet city. Autumn always made him anxious, but this time, something was different. Not just sadness. Something inside seemed to whisper: run.

But where? He had no one but Raon.

Raon... His alpha. Stern, taciturn, as if carved from steel, but only Taemin knew how much he could love. Raon never said "I love you", but he brought him warm buns on rainy days, held his hand in public, and always stood between him and danger.

Taemin ran his hand over his belly. It was still tiny, he couldn't feel it yet, but he knew that life was beginning there. Their child. Fear and joy tangled in his throat like a bitter lump. He hadn't told Raon. Not yet. He was afraid.

Suddenly the silence was pierced by the ringing of the bell. Hesitantly he approached the door. He looked through the peephole. No one. Only rain. Strange. His heart quickened its pace. He slowly turned back – and froze.

There was a white rose on the windowsill.

The window was closed. Locked. He remembered exactly. So… someone was in the apartment?

Taemin dropped the flower, stepping back. His breathing became ragged. His chest felt cold. Could it be... he was back? The one who had been following him back then, who had written the scary letters, who had known where he lived, who he was dating. Raon had said he had figured it out. That it was all in the past. But the fear had not gone away. It had gone silent, like an animal lurking in the darkness.

The door swung open with a bang - Raon. His gaze was sharp, wary. He immediately understood: something had happened.

“Who was here?” The voice is quiet, but there is hidden anger in it.

Taemin looked up, full of fear:

• He... He found me.

Raon clenched his fists. It was all coming back. Again. And now, Taemin wasn't alone. There was life inside him now.