Chapter Text
Park Seonghwa presented as an omega at eighteen - a slightly older age than normal. For a couple years it had simply been assumed that Seonghwa must be a beta, as he had never experienced a rut or a heat. Seonghwa had come to terms with it, being a beta meant nothing in his daily life needed to change, he continued as normal. By eighteen he wasn’t expecting anything to change, especially considering there were no pre-heat signs. There was no nesting, hot flashes, tender chest, cravings. No, instead everything came at the teenager all at once. Awaking in the middle of the night in active heat.
And in an unimaginable amount of pain.
As though his body was rejecting his inner wolf as it was presenting.
At first Seonghwa was so angry at his inner omega. He had been waiting years to present as something other than a beta, and now that he finally had his wolf was rejecting it. Or so that’s what he thought at first. Seonghwa went through his heat in pain, struggling through it. When it finally ended nearly a week later, he and his parents assumed that would be the end of it. But even after his heat passed, Seonghwa continued experiencing symptoms.
The omega continued to be swollen in the abdomen, discomfort in the pelvic area, and constant back pain. All of which his eomma had insisted should have passed by then. It took some convincing by his parents but Seonghwa reluctantly agreed to visit his doctor - who also agreed that by now the symptoms should have passed. That led to referrals to other doctors and more testing.
Within weeks , Seonghwa’s attitude of being angry at his inner omega, became one of gratitude. The doctors explained that if his inner omega hadn’t displayed such a dramatic entrance, chances are they wouldn’t have discovered it until he was in a stage too developed for treatment.
Ovarian cancer.
Seonghwa was eighteen, a freshly presented omega, when he was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Cancer cells that develop in the ovaries and multiply quickly. It explained why he experienced a delayed heat, and why when he did present it came on all at once. A cry for help from his inner omega. A desperate plea for Seonghwa to understand that something within his body was wrong.
From that moment on everything went at a speed Seonghwa was not prepared for. He was a teenager, his greatest concerns should have been who his date to the high school dance was going to be or that he forgot a deadline for an essay and had to rush to finish it or what university he was going to the next year after graduating. Instead, his greatest concerns became when he could be scheduled for surgery to get his ovaries removed and what weeks of chemotherapy treatments would look like.
Since he was a pup Seonghwa always knew he wanted to be a parent. He loved babies, he enjoyed playing with the younger kids at the park, he babysat when he got old enough to. There had never been any question about him one day having pups of his own. However, with ovarian cancer, that could change things. With his ovaries removed, all his viable eggs would be too. Sure, as an omega, he would still have his uterus, he could still carry and birth a child. But that would be with the help of IVF.
Seonghwa never thought he’d be seated at his kitchen table at the age of eighteen discussing IVF, egg retrieval, and donor sperm with his eomma. Thankfully she had been supportive through it all. She took her time to explain things to her son, to give him the room to grieve, and cry, to encourage him to keep moving forward. He started treatments first for an egg retrieval. To freeze eggs for the future when he did want to be pregnant. The doctors advised that fertilized eggs were best to freeze, that it allowed them to stay in good, strong conditions. Seonghwa had decided to do half and half. Fertilize half using donor sperm as a just in case, and the other half without fertilization to use if he finds a mate.
Together with his parents Seonghwa went through all the potential donor files, reading each carefully until he selected one that caught his interest. An alpha male, his own age, a university student, with a dream of being a doctor. A couple quick facts about the man: he enjoyed cooking in his free time, was on his university chess team, and went to the movie theater. Things that simply made the donor seem a little more human and easier to select as a donor.
Of course there was also a health history and all the other important things one might want to know. Overall, he seems to be in pretty good health, aside from an allergy to peanuts. This alpha seemed to be perfect enough for the eighteen year old.
Thus started his egg retrieval and fertilization. With that single donation Seonghwa was able to get six eggs fertilized and matured. Another eight set aside without any fertilization. From that moment onwards everything moved at a speed in which Seonghwa simply wasn’t ready for. A week after it was confirmed the eggs were matured and frozen Seonghwa underwent surgery to remove both ovaries. Followed immediately by chemotherapy, all in a desperate effort to fight the cancer. To give himself a chance at having a normal future.
It took a couple sessions of intensive chemotherapy, leaving Seonghwa sick and exhausted for months, but the omega had fought the cancer and won. Although he had to delay his university start date until the winter semester, Seonghwa had been able to graduate with his classmates from high school. And took the extra months at home before starting university to rest and recover.
From then on, life seemed normal for the omega. Seonghwa was able to experience university life the way any normal eighteen year old would. Even staying in the university dorms for his third and fourth year. There he found friends in Wooyoung and Yeosang, two other omegas that he grew close with. He went on dates, had a couple boyfriends and one night stands. On Friday nights he would go out to bars and clubs, dancing to music. He got to live - and that’s all he wanted after fighting for his life.
But less than a year after graduating university Seonghwa began considering the fertilized eggs he had frozen. Sure he could wait until he found a mate, or take dating a little more seriously. But it wasn’t an alpha or a mate that Seonghwa was interested in, it was having a pup. Since he had his eggs available to use, what was stopping him? Financially he was able to take care of himself as well.
Although Seonghwa didn’t have a typical career, he had been able to make a living for himself as a content creator. When he first started his cancer journey he began documenting it through vlogs that he posted on Youtube. Giving insight to what his treatment looked like and sharing his experiences. Perhaps it was his young age, or his positive outlook on his diagnosis, but it seemed to have interested people. Viewers had begun pouring in, watching his videos, commenting, and many different product partnerships too. And when the social media platform Tiktok grew in popularity, Seonghwa’s notoriety did too.
Continuing with his content creating Seonghwa documented his process with IVF, what it had been like having an egg transfer, and all the appointments that came with that. Which was followed by the content of being a single parent. All of this had gained Seonghwa a strong following - in the millions if he was being completely honest. It also allowed him to gain a stronger income. So, Seonghwa had been pretty well off.
Financially, physically and even emotionally Seonghwa didn’t need to have any contact with the alpha that had donated the sperm to the clinic. He felt it wasn’t any of his business on the alpha’s reasoning or to know anything about the man’s personal life. As far as he was concerned it was a gift, and Seonghwa wasn’t one to question that. However, recently there has been a change in Seonghwa’s health. One that made the omega consider the future for his pups, and what it would mean if he wasn’t around. There was never any question about them being cared for, he knew without a doubt that his pack would step up, they’d take in his pups. But it did raise the question of what if the pups ever wanted to know about the man that helped create them. Seonghwa felt he should at least reach out to the alpha before giving him a little heads up.
Which is how Seonghwa found himself hiring a private investigator. It had taken longer than he expected to hear back, for any results to be found regarding the other man. But finally two days ago Seonghwa received the report on who the donor was and where he could be found. At first, when Seonghwa had received the results, he had argued with the investigator. The omega had very little money to waste on something like this, and to be told the donor was an ex Kpop idol and currently a renowned producer, it seemed impossible. But here he was, with his two eldest, Minjae and Junmin, safely at school. And Sumin and Jinsik, at the cafe with Wooyoung, and he was parking his car in front of KQ Entertainment.
Stepping out of the car, Seonghwa straightened his cardigan, having tried to dress nicely without being too fancy - he was an eomma after all. Holding his head high, he walked into the building with more confidence than he thought possible and told the beta at the desk that he had an appointment with Kim Hongjoong. The beta in question slowly gazed up and down at Seonghwa’s body with a raised eyebrow. He didn’t need to say what he was thinking, it was clear the beta thought the omega was at the wrong place.
“I have an appointment” Seonghwa repeated, some of his confidence fading now under the man’s eyes. “It’s for Park Seonghwa, an appointment at eleven.”
The beta huffed a little and turned to his computer, typing away before humming softly. “Yes, I see your name. Please follow me.” The beta stood and guided Seonghwa towards the elevator and directed him to the eighth floor. “Maddox will meet you there.” Who Maddox was, Seonghwa had no idea. But he assumed it was the beta that was waiting at the elevator door. He introduced himself as one of the members of the production team, and usual greeting personnel when people visited. He led Seonghwa to sit in the small waiting space, saying Hongjoong will be with him shortly.
Seonghwa was waiting to meet the father of his children. His children… They were the reason he was doing all this. What it would mean for the future, for his own future. It also made him consider that there was a possibility of the pups having a future without him there to raise them. That they might need their other parents to be more involved. But it also made Seonghwa consider more so than ever how lucky he was to have such incredibly special and loving pups.
Minjae, his eldest, with the way she has started to insist on picking out her own clothes, and on more than one occasion has asked Seonghwa to put some lotion on her face during his nightly skin routine. For only being six years old, she was certainly growing up too fast. And Sumin was already learning from her. She was his third child, she had recently turned three and started nursery school. She had a love for dresses and bows. Minjae and Sumin would dance and sing around their shared bedroom at all hours of the day. After learning about who the sperm donor was, Seonghwa couldn’t help but wonder if they got their interest in performing from the alpha.
Junmin was much more clingy and calm. Preferring his collection of stuffed animals and books. Always wanting to do something to keep his hands busy. Art, puzzles, toys, anything. All of which was done close to Seonghwa, more often than not in the omega’s line of sight. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy other activities. He loved sports and playing with friends. It was just that he enjoyed being with Seonghwa more.
Jinsik however was Seonghwa’s baby. The youngest of the four. At only the age of one. Still being breastfed (for now), usually tucked in a wrap while Seonghwa was doing housework. He just recently started to walk and talk. Always laughing and waving at anyone he passed by, making everyone fall in love with him.
Jinsik was the baby that Seonghwa thought was going to be his last.
That is if it wasn’t for Hyunwoo and Junghoon. Seonghwa gently rubbed his lower belly. He was six months along with his final two pups. They had been the last two fertilized eggs. Of course he had the other eggs that he hadn’t fertilized, that were saved if he ever did find a mate. But he didn’t think that would be needed, he doubted he’d find a mate. So he was content with Hyunwoo and Junghoon being the last. And yes, he did already name the two boys. He had named all of his children before they were even born (and before he was even pregnant with them.)
“Eomma loves you,” Seonghwa softly whispered to his round belly as he rubbed it gently.
"Mr. Park, he's ready for you now." the man behind the desk called to Seonghwa, snapping the omega out of his thoughts. Glancing up, he noticed the man standing, waiting to likely escort him back to the infamous Kim Hongjoong's office - if producers even had an office, he genuinely wasn’t sure what to expect. He took another deep breath to collect his thoughts, even though he had plenty of time to do so while sitting there waiting. Now that he needed to stand and actually head back to meet Hongjoong, things seemed all that much harder and he had to force himself to take the steps.
With a nod Seonghwa followed the assistant down the short hallway, stopping in front of one of the offices and waiting for the door to open. Stepping inside, Seonghwa caught the first image of the alpha. A rather small man seated behind a disorganized desk covered in papers and a keyboard, dark hair slicked back and clothing that Seonghwa would imagine he'd only ever see on the runway was covering the man's body. He couldn't miss the under eye bags even from the doorway and thought ‘Does this man ever sleep? Or does he just live in this studio?’ Not that it was any of his business, of course!
“Thank you” Hongjoong said, not even glancing up at his assistant while focusing on finishing up whatever work he was doing on the computer, his fingers moving across the keyboard quickly.
On the contrary, Seonghwa bowed his thanks to the assistant as he stepped into the office and moved towards the free chair that was to the side of the alpha’s. He supposed the setup was different in a studio, sitting side by side rather than across. Both participants would need to see the song on the screen after all. Still, Hongjoong didn’t look up, almost as if he was unaware that he had a meeting to attend at all. Seonghwa cleared his throat. "Hello Mr. Kim! It is a pleasure to meet you." Seonghwa bowed politely in greeting, taking his seat and placing his bag on his lap. Trying to appear cheerful and welcoming. The omega needed to make a strong first impression.
“Just one moment.” Hongjoong mumbled, gazing at the computer for a second more. Then, the alpha pulled back with a sigh, finally clicking the saved button and closing the file. Now he was able to give Seonghwa some of his attention and offered a nod in greeting. “Mr. Park,” he said in a form of greeting. “I don’t recall seeing our meeting on my agenda a week ago. A last minute addition it seems.” At least the alpha didn’t appear outwardly cold. Moreso was stating facts and getting straight to the point. Which Seonghwa could appreciate. Even if he himself wasn’t a famous producer, Seonghwa did have things to get back to, and couldn’t spend his entire day here talking.
Seonghwa forced himself to smile and to keep his gaze locked with the alpha’s. There was no need to be intimidated by this man. Even if Hongjoong’s gaze was rather unintentionally intense. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice." Seonghwa decided to be polite. It was true though, the appointment he begged for was pretty urgently called, but he had an important reason for it.
“It seems, however, that my schedule does not indicate a reason for today's sudden meeting.” Hongjoong folded his arms across his chest as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze slowly moving up and down Seonghwa’s frame, taking in the omega’s appearance. Seonghwa was no stranger to being checked out. He will happily admit that he was well perceived in terms of looks and that he has caught many an alpha’s attention.
Although none of them had ever been to his own liking. He had given it his best shot back in high school and his early college days. But none of these relationships had ever felt right. So in a way, this alpha felt no different than all the others that he knew.
“If you are here for a trainee contract”, Hongjoong hummed softly in consideration, his eyes gazing over the omega and his pregnant body. “That can certainly be arranged. Although we will have to wait until after your… condition. We can keep that private of course. No fan will need to know about you having pups.” The producer actually didn’t even wait for a reply - which Seonghwa felt was really just a part of the man’s personality. And probably why he had been given the editor position. Clearly was the type to get things done. Grabbing for a notebook that was put off to the side. Flipping it open Hongjoong started reading off information that honestly Seonghwa understood none of it.
“You’ll need a more formal audition of course ” Hongjoong hummed more to himself. “But if you’re about to actually carry a tune - which honestly we can work around that if needed. Dancing will be a bonus too, but I can already tell by the way you walked in here that you have control over your body and its movements. That’ll make for an excellent dancer already.
“You have a nice face and good hair. I am sure that’ll be a good fit and we can make the clothing part of modeling come later. After you have more training and experience of course. But like I said, auditions are first. Which we could do on Monday at… 7am… yeah I know it’s early. But studio time slots always go to the bigger ticket items. The rest of the auditions and trainees need to be squeezed in whenever we can.”
Now, it was a little difficult to keep up considering how fast the alpha was talking. But the omega understood enough, and it caught Seonghwa by surprise. Yes he knew he was attractive, easy on the eyes and that he was a nice height but never to the point of being a potential idol. He was flattered, to say the least. The Kim Hongjoong had just implied that Seonghwa could be an idol? And he hadn’t even heard him sing - which Seonghwa wasn’t half bad at to be honest. The omega doubted he’d ever get such a kind compliment again. However he must deny the offer - Wooyoung will probably have his head for it.
"No, no." Seonghwa was quick to shake his head. "I'm not interested in being an idol, nothing like that I assure you," he was quick to deny, opening up his bag instead to retrieve a file. Hongjoong was extremely wrong if he thought Seonghwa wanted to be a famous idol performing on stage. Which was going to make this that much harder. Since now he was letting the alpha down in this very quick dream he seems to have created.
The thing about Seonghwa is that he isn't the type to hesitate or delay. There was no reason for him to work around this in a gentle way or to take it slow. The omega viewed this as a previous business deal that just needed to be discussed again. Best to get straight to the point. Especially since it seemed that Hongjoong was the same way, so he figured the other man would hopefully appreciate the straightforward attitude Seonghwa was going to give.
Flipping open the file, Seonghwa pulled out the first document that he had received from the sperm bank many years ago. It contained the basic information about his donor, along with the donor number that surely Hongjoong would know. It gave the basic bio info on the donor, race, height, health concerns, blood type, anything one might need to know in order to make an informed decision. Although what mattered most was that donor number, Seonghwa needed Hongjoong to believe him.
"Nearly seven years ago you made a sperm donation to New World Medical Centre under the ID number 1117" Seonghwa spoke firmly, with more confidence than he had honestly thought possible. Placing the paper down on the alpha's desk. Allowing the other man to view it himself. "And I purchased it."
Although he had only just met the alpha, it was easy to learn a few things about the other man. The first being that Hongjoong did not have a poker face. That much was seen earlier when he got excited over the prospect of Seonghwa being an idol, quickly ranting off his ideas. So yeah, it was easy to read him. Hongjoong’s expression shifted from shock, disbelief to anger, eyes giving away to everything he was feeling. And if that didn’t give it away, then surely his body language would. Hongjoong’s back and shoulders were tense. He straightened himself to sit with his back tall, trying to gain a little height to appear more powerful. Seonghwa was no stranger to alpha behaviors and the way they acted to appear stronger, like they were in power.
“Mr. Park, I assure you I have done no such thing. And I hope you understand the gravity of this accusation.” Hongjoong warned, clearly forcing his voice to remain stable. Trying to remain calm and Seonghwa could only assume not to give anything more away. Hongjoong was an idol, although he may be a producer now. Prior to serving mandatory military enlistment Hongjoong had been one of the most sought after idols in the industry. Known in the western music world as well. So it came as no surprise that Hongjoong would deny what Seonghwa was saying. Hongjoong was a public figure, he couldn’t risk letting it get out that he had made a donation to a sperm clinic.
It was certainly a sight to see how quickly the alpha’s attitudes could shift. When Seonghwa first walked in Hongjoong was obviously work focused. Then it changed to a slight excitement, though that could still be described as work focused since it was related to finding a new idol. But now, the alpha appeared almost threatening, and extremely serious. And every bit an alpha. It was enough to make anyone hesitate and worry about the man’s reaction.
“I am well aware of what this means.” Seonghwa knew it was a closed donation, he recognized the legal trouble he could get into for this if that’s what Hongjoong was implying. However he didn't give the alpha a chance to respond, following the agreement. Even though he could see the other man clearly open and close his mouth like he wanted to speak. Eventually clenching his jaw to remain quiet.
"I am also aware that it was a closed donation" Seonghwa pressed on, speaking what they both were likely thinking. It was no secret they had signed and agreed to a closed donation. Seonghwa was never supposed to contact the sperm donor. "I have always supported that, and intended to follow through with what we both desired. For I assure you, it was part of the reason I selected the donor that I did. I have never and will never be interested in having a donor involved in the raising of my pup. They are my pups, and I am very content with how I am raising them alone." Though this certainly didn't indicate why Seonghwa was there. If he was so insistent on them staying separate, then he wouldn't have come.
“Did you say pups?” Hongjoong cut in with the burning question. Seonghwa hadn’t even realized he had slipped up and indicated that he had more than one. It was obvious that he was pregnant, there was no hiding his six month belly. But he didn’t intend to share how many pups he had. “Exactly how many pups do you have?” he questioned.
"However something has changed in my opinion of a closed donation since then" Seonghwa continued speaking, barely able to maintain eye contact - but forcing himself to. Taking out the most recent photo of himself and his pups and placing it as well on Hongjoong's desk. The photo would answer Hongjoong’s question easily enough.
The alpha’s eyes gazed down at the photo, looking at the smiling face of the little pup. Seonghwa noticed the way Hongjoong seemed almost indifferent to the photo of the family, that it didn’t seem to affect him. Yes, he wasn’t an appa, that’s not what Seonghwa was here to prove. However Hongjoong was being forced to gaze at children that he did participate in creating. That his sperm was used. Hongjoong did share DNA with the pups. And if Seonghwa could recognize the similarities, Hongjoong could too. They had the same small upturned nose, eyes were the same shape and shade, even the same freckle on their necks.
It had been the main reason why Seonghwa had brought the photo along. So that Hongjoong could see just how similar the pups looked to him. The omega had recognized the similarities the moment he had looked the alpha up online. Spotting just how much the pups had gotten from their alpha… parent. The other part of presenting Hongjoong with the photo was that it was easy to deny Seonghwa the request. However he was hoping it would be more difficult to see the pups, and deny what Seonghwa was asking for. Yes, he will admit it was manipulative. And very outside of his character. However when it came to this situation, Seonghwa will admit almost everything about it was outside of his typical character.
Hongjoong carefully lifted the photo, holding it like it was made of sugar and was going to melt under his warm touch. Glancing between the photo and Seonghwa a couple times, before finally settling on looking only at the picture. For once his expression was difficult to read. As almost all emotion was drained from the alpha. Intense eyes focused on the photograph of the boy. Seonghwa doubted the man needed an explanation, the alpha didn’t seem to be stupid.
Taking a deep breath before Seonghwa continued, knowing that this was the moment that would affect him the most. And the moment that everything rested on. "These are my pups Minjae, Junmin, Sumin and Jinsik. All ranging from ages six to one years old.
“Minjae is the eldest. She loves fashion and always insists on picking out her own clothes. She’s been begging me to get her ears pierced but I don’t think she’s old enough yet. Three days a week she takes ballet classes and she is actually pretty good to be honest. Though I am biased.
“Then there’s Junmin, he’s four. He loves going to school to play with his friends, he collects plush toys, loves reading books, has been known to color on the wall on more than one occasion because coloring is his favorite activity" Seonghwa rushed out the facts about his little boy. Maybe if he could get Hongjoong to fall in love with the pups he'd be more willing to say yes.
“Sumin recently started nursery school and isn’t the biggest fan of it to be honest. But she loves getting dressed up for the day. Always wanting to wear dresses with matching bows. Though I think she’s just trying to copy her big sister. Jinsik is my baby, he had his first birthday a couple months ago. So he’s just learnt how to walk and talk. But honestly nothing can slow him down.
"All of them were created using your sperm donation."
There, Seonghwa said it. The worst part was over... although it wasn't. Admitting who the pups were was only part of the struggle. It was the next part that he felt was where things were really going to go downhill.
Hongjoong, surprisingly, had looked away briefly from the photo to glance at Seonghwa. Perhaps trying to get a gauge on the omega to see if he was telling the truth or not. But swiftly his eyes returned to the photo. But from what Seonghwa could see, the words were at least having some effect on the alpha. Especially the parts where he listed off facts about the boy. He had even noticed the way Hongjoong had swallowed hard at the comment about coloring. Which could perhaps be a comparison to Hongjoong’s own enjoyment for fashion. Seonghwa was willing to bet as a child that passion was shown through art.
“Four…” Hongjoong spoke the words so softly as he gazed at the photo. Then he looked towards the omega and his pregnant belly. It wasn’t just four. There was another inside the belly right now. “No, not four” Hongjoong corrected himself calmly. “Five. you have five pups.”
Technically there were actually six. Since the omega was carrying twins. But he didn’t need to share that fact with the alpha yet. Seonghwa however needed to return to being focused. Mustering what little courage he had - often what Seonghwa considered eomma courage - he pushed forward. Knowing he needed to share a bit about himself if he wanted Hongjoong to truly understand why he was here today.
"Ten years ago when I was eighteen I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I went through all of the treatments and preparations. I wouldn’t go down without a fight. But one thing about ovarian cancer is that part of the treatment is often removing the ovaries. Which would make it impossible for me to produce eggs later in life if I ever wanted to have pups” Seonghwa explained. He could see how Hongjoong’s expressions shifted again, this time to sympathy. The alpha seemed to feel bad, which was a common reaction. To hear that Seonghwa had gone through something like that at such a young age, it often brought pity. Which Seonghwa didn’t need right now. “So following the doctor's recommendation I froze some of my eggs. Apparently they freeze better when fertilized so, I picked a sperm donor. Might I say, it's not easy at eighteen trying to decide who you want to create pups with. I saved some eggs that weren’t fertilized just in case for the future, but for the most part, yeah I froze my eggs using your sperm donation.”
Watching Hongjoong's reaction, the alpha seemed to be still just as confused as he was at the beginning of the conversation. But at the very least he was giving Seonghwa the space to talk, to say everything before he said his own piece.
“I went into remission, had surgery and chemotherapy. I’ve been doing well. But recently… a month ago, the doctors discovered that I have relapsed.” It wasn’t getting any easier to tell people about his cancer returning. When he told his parents Seonghwa hadn’t been able to hold back the tears. “I intend to fight it, go through chemo and have whatever surgeries the doctors suggest. This isn’t a question of me fighting this cancer. But it has raised the question about my pups, and what it will mean for them if something was to happen to me. Clearly they don’t have another parent since I’m doing this on my own... but they do have you, their sperm donor." At this point he wasn’t even able to look Hongjoong in the eyes anymore, not wanting to see the alpha’s reaction in fear of there being rejection present already.
Seonghwa's voice was growing weak, softening as he began to beg (at least he was holding back the tears). "I came today, not for money, or an audition to be an idol, or even a chance to get to know you." None of those things meant anything to him. Seonghwa took a deep breath "I am instead here to beg you to at least meet the four pups. If anything was to happen to me, I am the only parent they have ever known. This isn’t a question of you taking them in, I know you’re nothing more than a sperm donor. But there will be no one who knows who you are and what you are to the pups. They may never have the opportunity to meet the alpha that helped create them. And they already ask all the time to meet their appa. I want to at least make it a possibility for them in the future. And hopefully make it so you’re not caught off guard by it. I know I shouldn’t be doing this. I recognize that I could get in trouble from this. And honestly nothing may change. But I need to try, to at least talk to you. They may mean nothing to you. But they mean everything to me, please, please consider it. Consider at least meeting them."
There. Seonghwa had said it. Now the most difficult part was over with. And Hongjoong’s reaction was sure to say it all.
“Minjae, Junmin, Sumin and Jinsik” Hongjoong breathed out each name while looking at the picture. As if it was easier to look at the picture than to talk to Seonghwa face to face. “You’ve certainly got some cute looking pups” he complimented the omega.
Honestly, Seonghwa was shocked that the alpha was taking it rather calmly in his opinion. He had expected straight out denial, insisting that Seonghwa had the wrong Kim Hongjoong cause he never donated sperm before. Likely even screaming at Seonghwa for breaking confidentiality- which he knows he did but he was desperate. He felt like that went without needing to be said. Regardless, the fact he wasn’t being yelled at using an alpha voice, or simply having security calls and getting thrown out all was a miracle in Seonghwa’s opinion.
Instead he was being complimented? Being told that his pups were cute? Sure Seonghwa knew that! But he was the eomma, so he was kinda biased. Hearing it from Hongjoong though, it shouldn’t make his heart skip a beat. Was it because Hongjoong’s sperm was used? Knowing that the pups were half his. It made Seonghwa feel proud that the other half of their DNA could also recognize that the kids were cute?
“However, despite how cute these pups are” Hongjoong set the photograph down on his table and slid it back across to Seonghwa. “Unfortunately I cannot take any credit for their cuteness. As I am not these pups sperm donors. Nor am I any pups sperm donor. Cause I’ve never donated.”
“I have the paper work all right here” Seonghwa tapped the top of the file as if to prove his point. The blood testing was all here, Hongjoong’s name was associated with the file, he had a donor number. There was no denying it. This sperm was Hongjoong’s. “This is all the information the clinic gave me. It’s you Hongjoong. And I don’t understand why you are denying this. What do you have to lose from admitting the truth?”
“What do I have to lose?” Hongjoong scoffed and rolled his eyes. He swept his hand and gestured around the recording studio. There were shelves lined with albums and awards, plaques stating songs went multi platinum. “I could lose everything Park Seonghwa. My reputation will be ruined if it was released to the public that I have four pups and I essentially abandoned them.”
“You can’t abandon pups you know nothing about” Seonghwa rolled his eyes.
“The public won’t see it that way. They won’t care enough to listen to the reasoning” Hongjoong snorted a little. “And the media would love to hear this story. Everyone’s been dying to know why I never returned as an idol after my military enlistment. Learning that I have four pups that aligns with the timeline of when I left the spotlight, is a little too perfect to ignore.”
“I think you’re a little too worried about what the media would say” Seonghwa practically rolled his eyes again. This alpha seemed to be making it into a bigger deal than it needed to be. He wasn’t asking for Hongjoong to step up and be an appa. And he certainly wouldn’t want it announced to the media that this supposed ex-idol is some kind of parent. He just wanted the alpha to know they existed, and to make it possible for the pups to reach out if they ever needed to.
“I need to be” Hongjoong insisted, a slight glare on his lips. “I don’t know how much you know about me, but I am more than just a producer here. I am an ex-idol as well.” Seonghwa knew that. He didn’t think it was necessary to tell Hongjoong everything he knew about the alpha, but admittedly he did look up the other man before coming. So he knew Hongjoong was previously a successful idol, but didn’t return to the spotlight after returning from the military.
“I have been taken advantage of many times Seonghwa” Hongjoong pressed on. “There have been many allegations made against me, and against other idols as well. Lies made up about being a bully in school, claims that fans used to date an idol, even rumours about an idols sexuality” Hongjoong listed off a few stories the media loved to publish. “A rumour starting about me fathering four pups is absolutely something the media would love to run with. And these things never only affect the idol. It affects everyone I work with, it could hurt the company. I very much enjoy my job at KQ, and I like the groups I produce for. I don’t want anything to happen to them.
“So again, I assure you, I would not, nor have I ever” Hongjoong continued. “Put myself or the company at risk of bad publicity like this. I have never donated sperm. I do not know what alpha’s sperm was used to create these pups. But I assure you, it’s not mine.”
How could Hongjoong be so certain of this? It was stupid of the alpha to lie and try to convince Seonghwa otherwise. The omega had the paperwork - and the pups to prove it. So why try to lie?
“You were an idol” Seonghwa cleared his throat. Maybe he needed to push Hongjoong a little more? Call him out on the possibility a little better. “I know training to become an idol can be expensive. Having to cover vocal and dance lessons, headshots, recording sessions. All those things take money. So it wouldn’t be impossible to think that maybe you needed money. And donating sperm does give a pretty penny.”
“You think I needed the money?” Hongjoong gasped, looking genuinely offended at what Seonghwa had suggested. “I assure you I could afford to put myself through idol training without having to become a sperm donor. And if I did need money, I wouldn’t have gone so low as to give my sperm away” he said, shaking his head firmly. “Maybe some alpha’s are okay with abandoning children, but I certainly am not!”
Seonghwa gave a little shrug, trying to appear indifferent at Hongjoong’s insistence. It seemed he got the alpha’s attention at least. Pushed the right buttons, and Hongjoong was falling right for it.
“And just to prove that I wouldn’t have donated my sperm, I will agree to a paternity test to see if I am a DNA match for your pups” Hongjoong suggested, with a small teasing smile. Though Seonghwa had sensed that the alpha simply found the offer to be amusing. He was insistent that he wasn’t the pup's parent, that he had never even donated sperm before. The test would be nothing more than to confirm what Hongjoong was saying. That the pups weren’t his.
However he didn’t anticipate the alpha’s request that followed. “But if by some miracle of God these pups are mine.” Hongjoong’s voice sounded so determined and certain of what he said. But surely he couldn’t understand the severity of what he was asking. “Then I want them to know who I am.”
“You want the pups to know that you…?” Seonghwa frowned in confusion. If he was holding his composure before, he was nearly losing it now. What an absolutely ridiculous request for Hongjoong to make. Surely the alpha would know he wasn’t going to be willing to offer that. Was this a cop out way of getting out of it? Avoiding actually having to admit he was the sperm donor? By making a demand that he knew couldn’t be achieved?
“Why would you want the pups to know who you are to them? I’m not here in search of them having a relationship with you, for them to know you’re their appa. It is quite the opposite I assure you” Seonghwa tried to insist in a gentle way, still trying to be polite about everything. “You had made it clear you wanted no contact with any children sired from your sperm. It clearly states that in our contract. And I respect that. I always have. It is what I desire as well.”
It wasn't only that this is what they had agreed on. To go no contact. It was also that Seonghwa wasn’t willing to put the pups through any more stress than they’ve already experienced. Introducing them to their sperm donor - who they would see as no different than an appa - was a horrible idea. The pups needed stability, support and consistency. Everything this alpha couldn’t offer. What if they got attached to Hongjoong and this man disappeared from him without any care in the world?
“As I have said, I assure you I made no such sperm donation to whatever clinic you insist you used" Hongjoong calmly answered. Again appearing superior over Seonghwa. “As such I could not have possibly signed whatever contract you think I did. Making it void and not at all a binding contract. So I suggest you not be too concerned by what is written on that paper you’ve been clenching so tightly to. If the DNA test comes back positive that I am the other parent, I want to be involved in my pups lives. They will be my pups. I didn’t choose to have them through donation, and any pups I help to create, will know me as their appa. And if this is something you really want, then I want to meet the pups.”
“Minjae” Seonghwa interrupted through clenched teeth. “Jumin, Sumin and Jinsik.” At the very least the alpha could have the decency to call them by their names. “You keep calling them ‘them’ or ‘pups’ but they have names.”
“Minjae, Junmin, Sumin and Jinsik,” Hongjoong repeated. For once his voice turned weaker. Strained, as if it was extremely difficult for him to say the one name. Quick to move on. “Anyways, as I was saying. I want to meet Minjae, Junmin, Sumin and Jinsik.” What went unsaid is how he probably wanted to see for himself that the pups were related to him. “And after we get the DNA test and see the results, we can decide how to move forward. But we can of course start with the DNA testing” Hongjoong smirked a little. “And hey, if I’m right and these pups aren’t mine, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about.” It was clearly a challenge to see which would back down first. Hongjoong tried to call Seonghwa’s bullshit and make it seem like he had come here lying. But Seonghwa wasn’t lying.
But this also wasn’t what Seonghwa wanted. Sure he wanted Hongjoong to know about the pups. But it was more so preparations for the future. If there came a time when Seonghwa did lose his battle to cancer, and there was a possibility the court did try to track down the sperm donor, Hongjoong wouldn’t be completely caught off guard. It was also planning for the future that the pups could track down Hongjoong when they were adults if they ever wanted to. And Hongjoong would at least know they existed.
Honestly Seonghwa wasn’t positive if he had made the right choice in coming here today. Perhaps it was going to be a mistake in opening these doors for Hongjoong. It was beginning to look like things with Hongjoong were not going to go the way he had originally intended. But it was too late to back out now.
“Alright, you can meet them. However you let me tell them what you are to them. I will be the one to explain how they are related to you, and only after the DNA test comes back positive” Seonghwa insisted. It’s not like he was doubting the test, he knew it would be positive. But it gave him time to delay, and hopefully for Hongjoong to change his mind. “But this isn’t going to become some co-parenting lifestyle between us. Minjae, Junmin, Sumin and Jinsik are my pups. They live with me. I am their eomma. And nothing you say or want is going to change that.”
Minjae occasionally would ask why her friends had an appa but she didn’t. But Junmin asked far more often and always demanded an answer. Seonghwa simply answered that he was eomma and appa. He always knew one day when the pups were older, he’d explain it to them. But it seemed like that day was coming quicker than he thought.
“Absolutely” Hongjoong was easy to agree with. “I wouldn’t even expect things to be different.” At least something with the alpha was proving to be easy enough for once. Seonghwa had been half prepared to fight Hongjoong on that too. And honestly that would have been his breaking point. “It appears you and I are capable of agreeing to something.” A little upturn of the alpha’s lips as he formed a smirk.
The more this alpha spoke, the more Seonghwa began to hate him. And the omega was never one to use that word lightly, but the alpha was so extremely condescending, cocky even. It was clear that Hongjoong was under the impression that he was better than Seonghwa. Despite not actually knowing anything about the omega. It was a sense of expecting the worst of another person.
"I am glad to hear it" Seonghwa huffed lightly. At least they were on the same page regarding how they will communicate with the pups. That Seonghwa can be the one to tell the pups. And only after the test comes back positive. It also gave Seonghwa some time to consider how to keep Hongjoong from getting too involved. They will need to have another discussion about Hongjoong’s relationship to the pups prior to actually telling them. Which will hopefully give Seonghwa some time to delay the alpha’s request and convince him to agree to simply meeting the pups, instead of telling them he was their appa.
“We can meet at the hospital this afternoon to get the testing complete,” Seonghwa offered Hongjoong. It felt best to get everything settled as quickly as possible. It meant Seonghwa would be able to put this behind him. And leave Hongjoong in the past - because Seonghwa was honestly starting to regret coming to Hongjoong about any of this.
“I am the lead producer for KQ Entertainment,” Hongjoong added, tapping his fingers along the top of his desk with a little eye roll. What was with this alpha acting like Seonghwa was stupid? As if he didn’t know that he was currently at the entertainment company meeting with Hongjoong. As if Hongjoong didn’t just offer him a contract to be a trainee? “Contrary to popular belief, and despite my history, I am rather well known. I am producing for some of the largest groups at the moment. I've recently presented Daesangs. I have a collection of awards I myself have won." So now the alpha was listing off his accomplishments? What kind of ego was that? “There’s a chance that somebody may recognize me in public.” Oh. So that’s what this is about. Hongjoong didn't want to be seen in public with Seonghwa. The omega hadn't realized how known Hongjoong was to the public. “I’d rather not run the risk of being recognized. Before we know it there will be photos posted of not only me, but of you. And I don’t think you want that anymore than I do.”
Despite Hongjoong having a point, Seonghwa didn’t like the way he was going about it. Although it seemed Hongjoong didn’t recognize Seonghwa either, didn’t know the omega was just as recognizable. “Fine” Seonghwa may hate to admit it but Hongjoong was right. He genuinely wouldn’t want anyone being able to connect Kim Hongjoong, ex-idol and current producer, to any of his children or himself. “We won’t go to the public hospital.” Now the omega really had to think of where they could go as an alternative. “But we need to go somewhere.”
Hongjoong however seemed to notice his hesitation in suggesting a new location. And as such the alpha took it upon himself to share his idea. “Alternatively we can meet at my house. KQ has a personal doctor on call that has come to mine and other idols homes before. The doctor does private exams in the safety of your home.”
Now, Seonghwa knew absolutely nothing about this alpha’s home. Hell he barely knew anything about the alpha! But he did know a couple things. The first being that Hongjoong, regardless of being pup’s sperm donor, Hongjoong had no relation to Seonghwa. He was a stranger. Seonghwa only knew so much of what he read in the articles before coming today. Which was the basics of what the public knew. Hongjoong could secretly be a serial killer or a kidnapper, and nobody knew it. So no, Seonghwa wasn’t willing to put himself anywhere alone with the alpha. He will still want it to be public enough.
Not to mention if Hongjoong had been worried about the public eye seeing them at the hospital, what if somebody saw Seonghwa entering Hongjoong’s home? That would create its own different type of rumours and Seonghwa just wasn’t willing to risk that.
"We are not going to your home" Seonghwa insisted with a little scoff. There was no way he was going to a strange alpha's home. That was asking for danger. Who knew what would happen to them. “Maybe this alpha will trap me in a cell in the basement and keep me as a servant or something.” Anyways that was Seonghwa's thoughts getting away from him.
Hongjoong rolled his eyes at Seonghwa’s words. The omega did not realize he had said the second part out loud. Intending to only think about it. “Nobody will be trapped in a cell in my basement. I assure you that. It is not a castle with a dungeon.” Folding his arms across his chest. Fully closing him off from the omega now. Seonghwa blushed a little at being caught. “And if it was a castle I would much rather have a dragon than a dungeon” he added with a little teasing smirk.
"Okay, if we can’t go to the hospital and you don’t want to go somewhere private to my house” Hongjoong sighed heavily, making it feel like this conversation was starting to bore him. “Maybe we can go to my doctor's clinic instead? I’ve been there before, many trainees from different companies have been to the clinic too. Especially when a large group needs to have physicals all at once. I can book out the clinic for an hour and it’ll stay private. We can go in and get the test done without anyone seeing. They got heavy security because they cater towards idols.”
When Seonghwa gave a small nod Hongjoong grabbed a sticky note pad and wrote down the address. It felt like the best way to compromise. It was private, but ensured Seonghwa wouldn’t be completely left alone in the unknown alpha’s den.
“How does today sound?” Seonghwa suggested. Still eager to get this over with and move on.
“Head producer of KQ” Hongjoong gestured to himself and repeated what he said earlier. Okay Seonghwa was really starting to hate that it was being used as an excuse for everything! “Unfortunately for you I am rather busy. Fitting you in at the last minute for this meeting was a miracle. I cannot also take time off this afternoon.”
“What do you suggest?” Seonghwa forced himself to be polite and offer to the alpha. He was almost always at the cafe unless he was busy with his pups. Perhaps it was easier if Hongjoong offered a time and Seonghwa worked around it.
“I can do Thursday afternoon” Hongjoong was quick to suggest. Glancing for a moment at his planner. “I’ll have to cancel some things. But nothing of great importance. Otherwise I’d have to wait until next week. And I assume you’d want to do this sooner than later. If the way you are so eagerly suggesting today is anything to go by.”
"Thursday works fine for me too. But early afternoon or even the morning is preferred" The timing is really the more important part about the arrangement. During the day Minjae, Junmin and Sumin were both at school. But Yeosang will be picking them up by then to bring them home. If Hongjoong came after four, that would be cutting it too close. Minjae at least will start to ask questions, she will want to know where Seonghwa was and who he was with. And if he dared to make the mistake of mentioning Hongjoong, that would mean dozens of more questions wanting to know who he was. At least the couple days also gave Seonghwa time to gather his own emotions. Today had been a lot, and he likely really needed the momentary break.
Accepting the sticky note with the doctor's address Seonghwa reached out and took the stack instead. Grabbing the pen directly from Hongjoong’s hand and regrettably using it to write down his own phone number. There might be changes between here and Thursday that needed to be shared. Plus Seonghwa would need to have the time confirmed. “When you make the appointment, text me the date and time to confirm.”
Accepting the sticky note Hongjoong glanced at it with a hum. “Sounds good. I’ll have my assistant book the appointment today and confirm it with you when I can” Hongjoong said, peeling the sticky note off the stack and folding it into his pocket.
With that Seonghwa stood up, grabbing his purse but leaving the file with Hongjoong - he had a second copy of it anyways. " I look forward to seeing you in a couple days." Seonghwa gave a deep bow to the alpha. Trying to give off the impression that he was somewhat polite and understood social customs. "I appreciate you agreeing to hear me out today. Thank you."
Honestly Seonghwa wasn’t even lying or exaggerating. Genuinely he was beyond thankful that he had gotten as far as at least discussing this with Hongjoong. There was nothing stopping the alpha from having him thrown out - or worst, arrested. This showed that they were moving in a direction that will hopefully benefit the pups in the future, make a difference for the pups that wanted nothing more than to have a parent that loved them. Even if something happened to Seonghwa, he wouldn’t get to remain as that parent. Hopefully that was a good sign that things will continue in the direction that Seonghwa needed it to. But now it was time to leave.
Turning on his heels Seonghwa sauntered out of the alpha’s office, with his head held high. Nodding once to Maddox as he passed by the assistance. Unaware that Hongjoong was leaning back in his office chair, watching the omega walk away, mumbling under his breath, “he’d make an excellent idol.”
When Seonghwa first left Hongjoong's office he had every intention of going straight home, he had his boys waiting for him. However he needed a few moments to breathe and get his emotions back in check. Entering his Nissan Pathfinder - to be honest Seonghwa always preferred a more slim car, but he needed something that fit his four, soon to be six pups. Tossing his purse onto his passenger seat and leaning his head forwards, resting it on the steering wheel. A honk sounding from the horn, making him groan in annoyance.
“Okay Seonghwa” the omega began giving himself a pep talk. “Get it together. This was the hardest part, and it’s already done.” In his opinion it wasn’t as nerve racking having Hongjoong actually come and meet the pups. He had expected it to be a possibility. The part that was a wild card had always been the beginning, admitting to Hongjoong that he had pups from the alpha’s sperm. Hongjoong finding out he was an appa could always have led to him wanting to see the pups. Though Seonghwa had been hopeful it wouldn’t have been the case because of the contract that stated the alpha wanted no contact.
“Now he just needs to be tested, and it’ll be over with. I can convince Hongjoong not to be interested in having a relationship, with the pups. Everything will go back to normal. Hongjoong will know he has pups, and if anything happened to me they’d be able to find him” Seonghwa hyped himself up. “It’s easy. This is the easy part” he sighed softly. There was no use in sitting in front of the alpha’s office. Might as well go back to home and get some work done. Plus seeing his pups would greatly assist him, let him feel better. Putting some music on, Seonghwa drove home. Knowing that seeing his pups and having them in his arms would be the best comfort at this time. It was probably what he needed now more than anything.
What Seonghwa didn’t know was that back in Hongjoong’s studio the alpha was lost in thought of everything that had just happened. How an omega had come marching into his studio and insisting he was supposedly the appa of four pups. Hongjoong knew he had made a lot of mistakes in his youth, he was an idiot, especially when he was an idol running high on fame. But Hongjoong was also certain that he had never blacked out to the point of donating his sperm without knowing it. Sure Seonghwa seemed confident in Hongjoong being the donor, but the alpha knew it was absolutely impossible.
“Hey” Song Mingi, Hongjoong’s ex-duo partner and now co-producer, sauntered into the room. Mingi had been the main thing that made Hongjoong consider sticking around as an idol. Sure Hongjoong was successful as a soloist, but he was also known for being in a duo with Mingi. Hongjoong didn’t want to affect or hold the other alpha back. Thankfully though, Mingi had taken Hongjoong’s desires in stride. He was a successful soloist as well, and he was also interested in producing more. So it gave him the opportunity to do something new as well.
“Who was that that just left?” Mingi asked, flopping down in the office chair Seonghwa had previously occupied.
“Park Seonghwa” Hongjoong shrugged and turned back towards his computer and pulled up the track he had been stuck on before Seonghwa arrived. Though he made no effort to actually work on it. The alpha was still just as stuck on it as he was before their conversation.
“Do we know him?” Mingi asked, as if he knew everyone Hongjoong knew. Which honestly was probably true.
“Nope” Hongjoong leaned back in his chair trying to appear nonchalant. “But apparently he knows me.” Hongjoong wasn’t sure why he felt compelled to tell Mingi, to share with him what he had discussed with Seonghwa. But he felt like he needed to share the heavy conversation with someone. So that somebody else knew he wasn’t the crazy one. Mingi has always believed in him.
“Doesn’t everyone think they know you?” Mingi snorted with an eye roll. He had also been through his fair share of crazy fans as well. Turning in the chair slightly to eye the computer and the track Hongjoong had open. It was easy for Mingi to slip into the role of producer. Gazing over the beats and soundwaves. Thoughts turned quickly in his mind on what he could suggest. “Though I must admit it’s not every day a pregnant omega shows up here claiming to know you” Mingi joked. “Usually when that happens it means-”
“He thinks I’m the appa to his pups” Hongjoong burst out. Unable to contain it any longer. Sure he was missing some details, which he can get to in a moment. But the main part was that Seonghwa thinks Hongjoong is the appa of the pups - even if the omega didn’t outright say that it was implied surely.
“He what?” Mingi practically screamed, the large alpha quickly standing up. Looking at Hongjoong in utter disbelief. Sure that may have been what he was implying but he didn’t think it would actually be true. “You gotta be fucking with me Kim Hongjoong! You let a crazed fan into your studio? What if he stole something? Was this file open when he arrived? Maybe he recorded the whole conversation! Did you say anything that could be used to black mail you?” Mingi quickly listed off his concerns.
“Will you sit down?” Hongjoong sighed and reached over to grab Mingi’s arm. Yanking the alpha back into the seat. “No, I didn’t have the file open, he didn’t see anything that could get me in trouble. I don’t even think he was a fan to be completely honest. I think there was just a misunderstanding with his paperwork.”
“Okay wait” Mingi furrowed his eyebrows. “I think I’m confused. Paperwork? What paperwork? I didn’t know having pups involved any kind of paperwork other than a birth certificate.”
“It does if the pup is created using sperm donation” Hongjoong answered with ease as if he wasn’t just dropping a major bomb.
“I’m going to need you to back up for a second” Mingi put his hand up to make Hongjoong pause. “I think I’m missing a big part of this story. Why does this involve sperm donation? What does that even mean? What are you talking about?” The other alpha was looking at Hongjoong as if he was crazy.
Hongjoong didn’t feel comfortable completely sharing Seonghwa’s story. The part about Seonghwa being sick and why he needed the sperm donation. But he could at least share a little piece of the story. “Seonghwa says that he had his four pups via a sperm donor. And apparently the paperwork he has received from the clinic indicates that I am the sperm donor.”
“You? The sperm donor?” Mingi barked out a laugh. Leaning back in the chair and laughing so hard that he rested his hand on his belly for support. “Come on Hongjoong don’t make me laugh so hard! I almost peed myself!” Wiping the tears away from his eyes. “I’ve heard a lot of crazy accusations against idols, but this might be one of the most hilarious I’ve ever heard.”
It was impossible not to laugh along with Mingi, his laugh was contagious. “I know right?” Hongjoong laughed, shaking his head in denial. It felt almost good to be able to laugh it off. To know that Mingi also thought the accusations were ridiculous. “I told him it was absolutely ridiculous. I have never, nor would I ever, donate sperm.” Which made it impossible for Seonghwa’s accusations to be true. Now if the omega tried to say Hongjoong got him pregnant one time, that might be believable. There were a couple years there that Hongjoong didn’t have the best memory of, but he knew he lacked common sense and self control. But this was impossible. “So it’s impossible.”
Mingi straightened up in the chair, finally having calmed himself down enough from his crazy laughter to at least have a clear enough mind to consider what Hongjoong was saying. The alpha shrugged a little, appearing nonchalant about the whole thing. He will agree with Hongjoong, it all sounded so far-fetched that it was impossible. “Except for that time you froze your sperm prior to debut.” Mingi said it like it meant nothing, like a regular conversation he might have had with Hongjoong over coffee.
“What?” Hongjoong froze for a second. Trying desperately to understand what Mingi had just said so quickly in passing. Sitting up straight Hongjoong frowned. “What did you just say?”
“Come on Hongjoong” Mingi snorted a little. “Don’t tell me you forgot our most embarrassing days as trainees?” the alpha questioned. “The physical we had after we were selected to debut? How we were both on suppressants for most of our career?”
“The company froze our sperm” Hongjoong pulled the memory from the very depth of his brain. It was one of the most embarrassing days of his life. A memory that he honestly never wanted to relive and had chosen instead to basically forget that day completely. “We were going on rut suppressants so we could debut. And a side effect of the medication is decreased sperm count” Hongjoong recited what happened in a neutral tone.
The entertainment industry has changed drastically over the past ten years. Overall had many improvements and changes made to the treatment of idols and trainees. There was less pressure put on body image, diets were no longer enforced the way they once were. All sub-genders were easily acceptable now, rather than preferring alphas. And things like ruts and heats were considered part of medical care and idols would be given time off for these things now. But back when Hongjoong was an idol, diets were the norm, alphas were preferred, and ruts were suppressed. No company wanted to risk losing a week of work for an idol to go home to have sex. There was also the unpredictability of when the rut could happen, it could be at an inopportune time like a tour or during comeback season. So it was common practice to put the idol on suppressants, to control when the rut would come.
“Yeah and the doctors and managers and whoever the fuck else insisted that it was common practice to masterbate into that stupid little cup and have our sperm frozen” Mingi laughed deeply. “Since a side effect of the suppressants could damage the ability to have pups. Not that it ever mattered to me since I’ve only ever been with Yunho. It’s not like I could get another alpha pregnant anyways” Mingi said, getting a little off track. “Honestly I had to be texting him the entire time. I just couldn’t get off in the stupid cold ass room. Sitting in that chair I’m sure thousands of guys have jerked off on. No wonder you’ve forgotten that day.”
“My sperm was frozen” Hongjoong breathed under his breath. Suddenly he was no longer thinking about Mingi and what the alpha was mumbling about. His thoughts were all on Seonghwa and the four pups the omega claimed were Hongjoong’s. Five if the one Seonghwa was pregnant with was his too. Five pups that just ten minutes ago Hongjoong was denying any possibility of being his. But now, it doesn't seem so impossible. Technically Hongjoong had never donated sperm, but he did have some frozen. Which he had completely forgotten about.
Ten years ago it didn’t seem like such a big deal. It was an insignificant part on the journey leading up to his debut. Hongjoong would have done anything to debut - even if he acted nonchalant about it now. It hadn’t been easy on the alpha, getting so close to the finish line was all that Hongjoong could think about when he was eighteen. If the company wanted him to freeze his sperm, then whatever to the young alpha. He did it without second guessing, cause what did it matter to him? Hell Hongjoong was planning to be an idol his entire life, there was no need to be concerned over pups.
“Yeah but that’s very different from it being used to get some random omega pregnant” Mingi made it sound like he was teasing the other alpha.
“But… mistakes can happen,” Hongjoong said more to himself than to his friend. Mistakes could happen, though this one seemed almost impossible. Maybe the wrong vial was taken from the freezer? It still might be worth considering. Especially with how certain Seonghwa seemed about the entire situation. “Maybe things were mixed up, maybe it wasn’t frozen. Instead it was used.” Maybe if Hongjoong shared more about how Seonghwa’s eggs had been frozen because he was sick Mingi might understand why it made more sense to Hongjoong.
“Hongjoong” Mingi laughed softly again. “Now you’re sounding just as crazy as that omega who was in here before. You can’t possibly think it’s true? What are the chances of that?”
“Well…” Hongjoong hesitated. Sure it sounded impossible, but was it really? Now there were thoughts of pups, of a family. Minjae, Junmin, Sumin and Jinsik, were all an actual possibility now. Seonghwa had insisted he didn’t want Hongjoong involved, but he also said he was sick. Seonghwa was sick and was reaching out so Hongjoong knew about his pups. What if something did happen to Seonghwa and these pups were Hongjoong’s? He knew he’d never be able to leave them. Even if he never wanted or intended to be a parent. “Mingi… I know it seems impossible… but what if… what if Seonghwa was right? What if something went wrong at the clinic and there was a mix up…” Hongjoong trailed off. “Seonghwa showed me a photo of the pups. And I thought it was just a coincidence that they looked a little like me. The eldest girl has my eyes and the baby boy’s got my nose, another my eyes. There are pieces of me in them. I swear I saw it. But I knew I hadn't donated sperm… or at least I thought I hadn’t.”
“Now you’re just over thinking it” Mingi insisted, though he had finally calmed himself down enough to take the conversation seriously again. “We both know that it’s not true. Regardless of how ridiculous of a possibility you think there is. And if you really think you need some proof just call the clinic to confirm your sperm is still frozen.”
Of course Hongjoong had already agreed to the DNA testing, it had been his suggestion as a way of proving Seonghwa wrong. But now that Mingi suggested it, it didn’t sound like such a bad idea, just to get a little confirmation before going into the testing with Seonghwa. Let Hongjoong process and accept things in his own time in a way. Perhaps he should give the clinic a call this afternoon. “Maybe I will,” Hongjoong answered softly.
“But seriously Hongjoong” Mingi’s tone shifted to such lightness, back to teasing. Like the conversation wasn’t nearly as heavy as it actually was. “I wouldn’t be too concerned about it. Even if some freak mistake happened and you are by some default a sperm donor. It’s not like you’re under any obligation to this omega and pups. Besides, we both know you aren’t appa material.”
It was no secret that Hongjoong has never shown any interest in settling down and being a family man. Any time his friends teased him about it, Hongjoong was quick to deny it. It had never bothered the alpha before. But now, Hongjoong felt a pang in his chest, something tugging at his heart. It didn’t sit right, what Mingi was saying. How Hongjoong wasn’t appa material. He actually felt kind of hurt by the remark. As if Hongjoong wouldn’t be capable of being an appa.
Swallowing hard, Hongjoong pushed whatever deep feelings he was experiencing aside. Clearing his throat a little as he nodded in agreement. Eager to simply have the conversation with Mingi end. Although he may not completely agree with Mingi, Hongjoong found himself forcing out the words to simply appease him. “Perhaps you’re right.”
“I know I’m right,” Mingi announced proudly.
But Mingi wasn’t right.
Hongjoong knew the alpha was wrong.
And if the DNA test, for whatever reason, did come back to prove that Hongjoong was Seonghwa’s sperm donor. To prove that Hongjoong was appa to four - soon to be five - pups. Then Hongjoong would take that role seriously. The alpha would accept it, and embrace it. Do whatever it takes to become appa material. Hongjoong would prove Mingi, Seonghwa, and anyone else who could doubt him wrong.
That’s only if Hongjoong actually is the appa.