Joy leaned in closer to Yu, her voice dropping low, her tone still tight with worry.
"What is going on, Yu? Why is he still here? Why didn't you call me this morning? Do you have any idea how sick with worry I've been?"
Her words trembled, her eyes bright with both anger and fear.
Yu's lips tugged into a small, apologetic smile as he rubbed at the back of his neck.
"I'm sorry, Joy… really. Adrian ended up staying the night."
His fingers brushed against his belly almost absently, his voice gentler now.
"We talked. He… he's willing to help me during the pregnancy. To be here."
Joy's brows furrowed, her mouth opening to retort, but Yu pressed on, his gaze soft.
"You're still young, Joy. And you're in a relationship now with Izan. You shouldn't have to spend every waking moment worrying about me and fussing over me. You should be enjoying your own romance, your own life."
His smile warmed, grateful and fragile.
"I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me so far."
Joy's lips quivered, her frustration dimming into something tender. She squeezed his hand, but her eyes flicked toward Adrian's broad back.
"...And what about Theo?"
The question lodged in the air like a thorn. Yu froze, sighing deeply as his hand slid down to rest protectively over his belly.
"I don't… I don't like Theo. Not that way. I can't see myself being with someone like him, controlling and suffocating. I'm sorry."
His voice cracked faintly, though he tried to keep it even.
Joy's mouth parted, instinct flaring to defend her brother—but the words died in her throat. Images seared her memory:
Theo's terrifying command for her to drag Yu to him, the way his eyes lingered far too long on her photo albums of Yu dressed up, the way his presence had grown colder, more obsessive… and the sting of how he'd begun to pay less attention to her at all. Her gaze drifted again to Adrian. Tattooed, rumored violent, a gun hidden somewhere no doubt—but there he was, calm, quiet, carefully focused on the pan. He hadn't demanded Yu's attention, hadn't forced himself in—just stayed, waiting, returning each day without barging into Yu's space after that first time.
A soft lament slipped out.
"He really messed up, didn't he? I wanted so badly for you to be my brother-in-law…"
Yu chuckled through the heaviness and leaned against her shoulder, his eyes warm.
"Even if we're not connected by marriage, Joy… you'll always be my sister. Always."
His gaze drifted forward, catching Adrian's broad back, the faint stretch of his shoulders as he plated the eggs. Yu's cheeks burned, his heart giving a little lurch.
"...I'm not thinking about dating or marriage right now. Not with everything. But maybe… maybe one day."
Joy followed his gaze, her heart tugging, but said nothing.
Just then, Adrian turned, his face unreadable, as he carried over two simple plates of scrambled eggs and toast. The smell of warm butter filled the air as he set them down.
The three of them sat at the table now, the silence heavy and charged, broken only by the quiet scrape of utensils and the clink of glass. Joy kept Yu close at her side, her guard still high, while Yu snuck quick glances at Adrian between bites. Adrian, for his part, ate quietly, the weight of unsaid words hanging between all three of them.
The first few minutes of breakfast were thick with silence. The soft scrape of forks against plates, the faint crunch of toast, and the occasional clink of a glass were the only sounds filling the penthouse kitchen.
Yu kept his eyes mostly on his food, nibbling slowly, occasionally sneaking longer glances at Adrian who sat across from him—broad shoulders hunched slightly, every movement measured, like he was restraining himself from looking too much, saying too much. Joy, however, wasn't eating as she wasn't given a plate. All the same, she was watching. Watching both of them. Watching Yu's delicate way of hiding behind his toast and watching Adrian's careful, almost reverent focus on the plate in front of him.
The tension was unbearable for her. Finally, she set her cup—which Yu made Adrian get her—down with a sharp clink.
"So…"
Joy began, her voice casual but her eyes sharp.
"Adrian, right? You're here. At his table. Cooking his food."
She tilted her head, leaning on her palm.
"What exactly do you want with Yu?"
Adrian blinked, caught mid-chew, and quickly swallowed. He sat straighter, his jaw tightening before his voice came low but steady.
"I want to be here for him. However he'll let me."
Joy narrowed her eyes, clearly unsatisfied.
"Uh-huh. And what about the babies?"
Her tone softened, but only slightly.
"They're not yours, right?"
Yu nearly choked on his drink, Adrian and Joy rushed to soothe and pat his back. However, Adrian said nothing for a beat, after making sure Yu was okay, he took to his seat again and spoke low and rough.
"No, they're not mine."
"Hmph. Are you really okay helping Yu raise them then?"
"Yes."
Adrian's answer came without hesitation, firm and grounded. His hand twitched slightly, as if he wanted to reach across the table for Yu but didn't dare with Joy sitting right there.
"Whether they're mine or not doesn't matter. As long as Yu loves them… I'll treat them like they're mine."
Yu froze, his heart skipping. He swallowed hard, clutching his fork tighter. Joy raised a brow at him before tilting her gaze back to Adrian, a skeptical hum in her throat.
"Big promises."
She murmured.
"But do you mean them? This isn't a game. Raising babies isn't all cuddles and lullabies—it's sleepless nights, diapers, money, and a lot of stress, times three. You don't strike me as the type to sacrifice your whole life for someone else."
Adrian's jaw clenched.
"Maybe I wasn't. Before. But for Yu? For the babies?"
His gaze flickered, hot and steady, to Yu.
"I'd give up anything."
Yu's cheeks burned under the weight of those words. He shifted, one hand slipping down under the table to rest protectively over his belly. Joy, however, wasn't done.
Her voice was softer now, but heavier.
"Then what about Theo? Yu, he plans on proposing to you."
The air froze. Adrian's eyes sharpened like knives, but Joy kept her gaze on Yu.
Yu's throat went dry. His fingers pressed into the curve of his belly as though anchoring himself. Slowly, shakily, he shook his head.
"I… I had no idea. I-I can't. I won't accept it. I'm sorry, Joy."
His voice faltered, but he forced a small, strained smile. Joy's brows drew tight with concern, but she reached across to gently squeeze Yu's hand.
"Good. Because he won't stop unless you say something."
Adrian's knuckles turned white around his fork, his grip was so tight it might snap, but he said nothing—only fixed his eyes on Yu, unreadable.
Every mention of Theo sent heat surging up his neck, not the kind that came with desire but the sharp, biting kind born of jealousy and loathing. He wanted to reach across the table, pull Yu against him, shield him from even the name. Instead, he sat there and simmered.
'Theo this. Theo that. Theo with his money and his company and his goddamn family name.'
Adrian's thoughts curled darker with every heartbeat.
'He didn't protect Yu. He paraded him. He used him. And now he thinks he can marry him—steal him away—when he can't even see Yu for who he really is?'
His fists ached with the want to smash Theo's smug face into the pavement.
But then Yu spoke, his voice soft and trembling, cutting through Adrian's spiral.
"I've got to get out of this arranged marriage."
Yu said, clutching his belly tighter, as though drawing strength from the life inside.
"At the end of the month. I'll talk to Theo and get him to break off the fake engagement… right before I leave for France."
Adrian's chest lurched. The words break off filled him with relief, but France stung—like he was already losing Yu before he could truly hold him.
Joy's head snapped toward Yu, wide-eyed.
"Wait—arranged? What do you mean, fake? I heard from Rin that Grandpa already gave his blessing. Didn't he already accept you entering the family?"
Yu froze. His lips parted, but no words came at first. His whole body shook as the truth punched him again. That bile—that gnawing hate—burned in his throat until he nearly choked on it.
"That's because Theo—"
Yu's voice cracked, trembling with rage as tears prickled his eyes.
"He made me dress like a woman, Joy. He tricked your grandfather into thinking I was his fiancée. A woman he planned to marry. He used me. I—"
His hand curled into a fist, slamming lightly against the table as his words spilled out raw, bitter, sharp.
"He twisted what I like—what I chose for myself—and turned it into a lie. A trick. He paraded me in front of your grandfather like some doll to secure approval."
Silence followed, suffocating.
Joy's lips trembled, her hands curling into fists at her sides. Her eyes were glassy with anger, her whole body trembling.
Adrian didn't move, didn't breathe. His fury crystallized into something hard, sharp, dangerous.
The three of them sat in that thick, burning air—united, at last, by the same emotion.
Hatred for Theo.
Joy shot to her feet so suddenly her chair scraped across the floor with a shriek. Her fists slammed against the table, rattling the plates and silverware.
"That bastard!"
Her voice cracked, raw and trembling, half-rage and half-grief.
"My own brother! How could he—how dare he!?"
Her chest heaved, words spilling too fast, too jagged.
"After everything we lost, after he swore he'd protect me, protect us—he does this to you? To the one person who's been there for me more than anyone else?!"
She pressed both hands to her hair, pulling at it like she was trying to rip the thoughts out of her skull.
"I defended him, Yu. I defended him! I told myself he was just being protective, just being cautious after the accident—but no. He's just selfish. Controlling. Cruel. And he's using you to fill his own damn void!"
Joy's voice finally broke, cracking into tears of her own. She fell back into her chair, trembling, her whole face twisted in betrayal.
"He doesn't deserve you. He doesn't deserve a single piece of you, Yu. I'm—"
She swallowed, shaking.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't see it. I should've seen it."
Yu sat frozen, hand trembling against his belly, his eyes wide and glistening. His lips quivered as if he wanted to respond but nothing came out except for a shaky breath.
Adrian moved then—slow, controlled, his fury channelled into action. He slipped an arm around Yu, pulling him firmly but gently against his chest.
"Breathe…"
He whispered against Yu's temple, his voice steady and low, a jarring contrast to Joy's storm.
"Just breathe, Yu."
Yu's chest hitched against him, sobs tearing free, but Adrian's other hand was already there, stroking down his arm, grounding him. He brushed Yu's tears away with his thumb, coaxing his gaze up to meet his own.
"I've got you."
Adrian murmured, his tone almost reverent. His brown eyes flickered darkly, though—shadowed with the vow simmering beneath.
'Theo Kingsley will pay for this. He'll never lay a hand, a claim, a word on Yu again—not while I still breathe.'
But aloud, to Yu, he said only.
"You're safe. With me. Always."
Yu's sobs softened into hiccups, his breath shuddering against Adrian's chest. He tilted his face up, eyes swollen and wet, lips trembling as if to form words but failing. Instead, he simply pressed his cheek against Adrian's collarbone, clinging tighter, as though afraid that if he loosened his grip even a fraction, Adrian would vanish like all his fragile safe havens before.
"I… I don't deserve this…"
Yu whispered at last, his voice brittle, breaking.
"I don't deserve you."
His hands clutched the fabric of Adrian's shirt, shaking, but there was no fight in him anymore—just fragile surrender. For the first time in what felt like forever, warmth seeped into his bones, and though guilt still gnawed at his edges, he allowed himself to melt into the steady strength that held him.
Adrian dipped his head, lips brushing the crown of Yu's soft brown hair, whispering firmly.
"You deserve everything, Yu. Everything. Don't you dare think otherwise."
The words worked like a balm, loosening the knot in Yu's chest until a soft chuckle slipped out, quiet and watery. He nuzzled closer into Adrian's broad chest, murmuring.
"You're so warm… It feels… like this is where I belong."
Joy, still trembling with her own storm of emotions, made her way over and lingered by the front door. Her eyes swept over the scene—the way Adrian's arms folded around Yu like a shield, the way Yu clung to him like an anchor. Her jaw clenched, but the hardness in her gaze finally eased into something tender.
"Then stay there…"
She said softly, almost like a blessing.
"And Adrian…"
Her eyes caught his over Yu's head.
"If you ever let him down—if you ever make me regret trusting you—I'll be the one you'll answer to."
But her tone, for the first time, wasn't sharp. It was almost… familial. A warning, yes, but one laced with acceptance.
Adrian gave her a single, steady nod.
"Understood."
Satisfied, Joy opened the door. Before stepping out, she looked back once more, her eyes softening as they fell on Yu. Then she left, pulling the door closed behind her.
The silence that followed was warm, heavy with something unspoken. Yu chuckled again, muffled against Adrian's chest.
"She's scary, isn't she?"
Adrian huffed a quiet laugh, kissing the side of Yu's head.
"Not as scary as losing you."
Yu smiled faintly, heart fluttering as he burrowed deeper into Adrian's hold. For once, the gnawing ache inside him dulled, replaced by the fragile certainty that—for now—he was exactly where he belonged.
Adrian coaxed Yu into the couch after Joy left, easing him down with a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Rest a little."
He murmured, fetching the throw blanket draped over the back and tucking it carefully around Yu's frame. Yu gave a soft huff, half-pout, half-relieved sigh, his pale lashes fluttering as he leaned into the cushions.
"I'm not a child."
Yu mumbled, though he didn't fight it.
"No…"
Adrian said simply, crouching down to Yu's level so their eyes met.
"You're more important than that."
He brushed the stray strands of dark brown hair out of Yu's damp eyes and pressed a light kiss to his temple. Then he disappeared into the kitchen, returning moments later with a cup of warm water and something light—plain toast, simple enough to settle Yu's stomach since he didn't eat much of the scrambled eggs.
Yu smiled faintly at the sight, teasing.
"Trying to be my househusband already?"
"Trying? I thought I already got your family's approval."
Adrian countered, but the ghost of a smile betrayed him as he guided Yu's hands to the plate.
From there, days began to slip into a rhythm. Morning sickness, meals, quiet evenings—Adrian was there, steady and grounding. Soon, Adrian began bringing more than just himself when he came over. A set of spare clothes one night. His work bag the next. Then books, toiletries, finally a suitcase and boxes.
Yu blinked as he caught Adrian unpacking into the guest dresser one evening.
"You're moving in?"
His voice was equal parts surprise and shy warmth.
Adrian straightened, careful, testing the waters.
"You tire far too quickly lately, I'm worried about you. It's not good for you to be alone for too long. And honestly…"
He paused, tone casual though his jaw was taut.
"Since you left, Callen's been out partying. Bringing strangers back every other day. It's unbearable. I was already looking for another place. This just… kills two birds with one stone."
Yu froze, his chest tightening with an ache he didn't expect. The image of Callen so easily falling back into his old ways, like Yu and the babies had never mattered, struck deeper than he wanted to admit. For a flicker of a moment, he wanted to ask, to know if it was really true. But instead, Yu lowered his gaze, smoothing a hand over his rounded belly as though to reassure himself.
'It's not like these babies are his responsibility anyway.'
So he didn't bring it up again.
Adrian noticed the silence but didn't push. He only reached over, ruffling Yu's hair, his voice low and certain.
"You've got me now. Don't waste your energy worrying about him."
Between classes—where Yu hid under baggy hoodies and loose jackets—and study sessions with Izan for their Roman Love Culture presentation, Yu fell deeper into this fragile, new normal. More often than not, he ended up nibbling on snacks while Izan worked through slides, teasing Yu for being "the laziest partner" as Yu grinned through a mouthful of food.
And through it all, Adrian was there—driving Yu to doctors' appointments, adjusting his internship hours when needed, and slipping seamlessly into the quiet, domestic rhythm of a life already shaped by the impending arrival of three babies.
The penthouse slowly began to feel less like Joy's borrowed sanctuary and more like theirs.
---
The clinic smelled faintly of antiseptic and lavender diffuser oil, a strange attempt at comfort that never quite erased the nerves Yu carried in his chest. He sat on the exam table, his hoodie tugged low over his belly as if fabric could hide the swell. Adrian sat beside him, his broad frame somehow grounding the sterile atmosphere.
When Dr. Nathaniel entered, his face broke into a reassuring smile.
"Good to see you again, Mom—and you too, Dad."
Yu flushed instantly, his pale cheeks blooming red.
"W-we're not—"
He fumbled with his words, tugging at the sleeves of his hoodie.
Adrian's hand slid onto his knee before Yu could spiral.
"We're here. Thank you for looking after Yu in my absence."
He said smoothly, nodding to the doctor, voice steady as stone. He didn't even blink at the nickname anymore.
The checkup proceeded in its usual rhythm—blood pressure, weight, ultrasound gel cold against Yu's skin as the screen filled with the chaotic miracle of three fluttering heartbeats. Yu swallowed down tears each time, torn between love and terror. Adrian's hand was always there, threaded with his, thumb stroking gently over his knuckles.
It had been awkward at first, that nickname. "Dad." As if the world itself had already written Adrian into Yu's story, into the babies' story. Yu remembered one of the first times—how his ears had burned, how he had opened his mouth to stammer out the truth.
"T-the father isn't—"
And before the words could finish, Adrian leaned down, warm lips pressing to Yu's trembling and plump ones, silencing him in front of Dr. Nathaniel and the nurse.
"Shh."
Adrian had murmured.
The kiss had stolen Yu's breath, stolen his chance to clarify. He had been left flustered, mute, watching the faintest smirk tug at Adrian's lips as though the matter was settled.
It never came up again. Now, "Dad" rolled off the doctor's tongue every visit, like it was official, like it was written into stone. And though Yu still flushed crimson every time, he stopped trying to explain. Somehow, a part of him wanted to believe it.
When the checkup ended, the doctor patted Adrian on the shoulder.
"You're doing well, Mom. And Dad, keep looking after him. He'll need all the support you can give, Dad."
Adrian inclined his head solemnly, as if accepting a sacred oath.
"Always."
Yu lowered his gaze, his heart stuttering. He wanted to laugh it off, to call it absurd, but instead his lips trembled into a small, quiet smile he couldn't suppress.
Yu sat on the edge of the exam table, the paper crinkling under his weight, still feeling the phantom coolness of the ultrasound gel across his belly. His hoodie hem clung damply where he'd tugged it down too hard, a flimsy shield over a reality that could not be hidden anymore.
Adrian sat so close their thighs brushed, one arm folded across his broad chest, the other draped casually behind Yu like it belonged there. The doctor's cheerful "Dad" still echoed in Yu's ears, and his chest fluttered wildly with conflicting feelings.
He wanted to correct it. He really did. But each time the words built up, Adrian's calm presence smoothed over his panic. He hadn't flinched, hadn't denied it, hadn't even let a shadow of discomfort cross his face. Instead, he looked like he'd wear the title proudly if the world demanded it of him.
Yu's fingers trembled in his lap, curling and uncurling as DK01's cold commentary hummed in the back of his head about his stress levels and restraint. Still, Yu's heart betrayed him, whispering what-ifs.
'What if things really were that simple? What if Adrian was their father? What if it wasn't so complicated, so tangled with lies and Theo's suffocating shadow?'
When the visit ended and Dr. Nathaniel left, Adrian offered Yu his hand. He helped him down from the exam table as though Yu were glass, his palm steady, warm. Yu ducked his head, cheeks hot, whispering.
"You're so…unbothered. Like it's nothing…"
Adrian only shrugged lightly, lips tugging into that small half-smile.
"Because it isn't nothing."
He squeezed Yu's hand once more before guiding him out.
Yu's chest burned, fragile and heavy all at once. He didn't argue. He didn't dare.
…
The hospital doors slid open, letting in a bite of cold air that made Yu's eyes sting. He tugged his hoodie strings tighter, his thoughts still knotted. Adrian carried the bag of pamphlets and supplements as if they were nothing, his stride calm and protective at Yu's side. Where Yu felt flushed and trembling, Adrian radiated an unbothered steadiness that wrapped around him like a shield.
In that quiet, domestic warmth, Yu almost forgot the chaos waiting outside.
---
Days bled into rhythm again—classes, meals, Adrian easing more of his belongings into the penthouse, Joy checking in with texts that grew softer as she trusted Yu's choice. Slowly, the edges of crisis dulled. Until soon, the calendar struck on the day of Yu and Izan's Roman Love Culture presentation.
The lecture hall buzzed with the energy of half-prepared students clutching note cards and slides. Yu sat at their shared desk with Izan, swaddled in one of his oversized sweaters, hand resting absently over the swell of his belly as Izan whispered through the final points of their outline.