16 – Introduction

Between the year-end and the new year, work was so hectic that before I knew it, a whole month had flown by. Fortunately, Do Yi-hyun had been fine since that one collapse. Ironically, it was thanks to having sex diligently every day or two even amidst the busyness.

Once they had mixed their bodies while sober, the second time wasn’t particularly difficult. As the act of spending nights together repeated, both Do Yi-hyun and Seo Jeong-woon, increasingly addicted to the pleasure, reached out to each other without any question of who initiated. Their sexual sensitivity became more heightened by the day, and Do Yi-hyun instinctively craved stronger stimulation.

His previous life devoid of sexual desire was becoming a distant, hazy memory. Seo Jeong-woon was also very persistent during sex. Once he fixated on one spot, he would torment Do Yi-hyun until he surrendered.

There were times he spent dozens of minutes just licking Do Yi-hyun’s chest until his nipples swelled up. And once he started, he rarely finished easily. He would push relentlessly without giving Do Yi-hyun, whose stamina was diminished due to pregnancy, any chance to rest until he fell asleep, almost passing out.

Naturally, the number of days Do Yi-hyun slept over at Seo Jeong-woon’s place increased, and before he knew it, he was coming and going from Seo Jeong-woon’s house as if it were a second home. Seeing that Seo Jeong-woon no longer urged him to live together, it seemed he had changed his strategy since Do Yi-hyun was trying to buy time. As evidence, Seo Jeong-woon openly showed his displeased mood every time Do Yi-hyun returned to his own place.

Even though it was mostly just stopping by briefly to pick up things, he acted that way. For the first week, if Do Yi-hyun mentioned it, Seo Jeong-woon would reluctantly let him go, but now, if something was needed, he would just buy it new. Thanks to that, Do Yi-hyun’s belongings gradually piled up at Seo Jeong-woon’s place.

Since they slept together almost every day, they inevitably ended up commuting together too. At least they took separate cars, but today, unable to withstand Seo Jeong-woon’s stubbornness, they rode in one car. He insisted, clinging tightly with his arms and legs, that he wouldn’t let go unless Do Yi-hyun got in his car, and there was simply no way to resist.

If Do Yi-hyun didn’t nod, it seemed he wouldn’t be able to go to work.

‘He’s not a child.’

Do Yi-hyun frowned with a stern brow. Even thinking back, it was an absurd, shameless tantrum. He was also dumbfounded at himself for falling for it.

“Not cold, right?”

Seo Jeong-woon, sitting in the driver’s seat, unnecessarily fastened Do Yi-hyun’s seatbelt for him and whispered sweetly. Do Yi-hyun didn’t reply and just stared out the car window. While driving, Seo Jeong-woon would fidget with Do Yi-hyun’s hand or thigh every time they stopped at a red light.

It was a light, playful touch, but it was distracting and unbearable.

“Focus on driving.”

“Of course. With someone sitting next to me.”

Even when Do Yi-hyun coldly scolded him, Seo Jeong-woon just grinned brightly. In the end, Seo Jeong-woon even clasped the back of Do Yi-hyun’s hand at the last traffic light just before arriving at the company.

“Come find me anytime if it gets tough.”

Seo Jeong-woon, who had turned off the engine, looked at Do Yi-hyun with a slight smile. Then he gently stroked Do Yi-hyun’s fingers.

“This is the company.”

Do Yi-hyun irritably pulled his hand away, but Seo Jeong-woon naturally grabbed his elbow.

“Yeah, that’s why I’m holding back.”

Despite Do Yi-hyun’s icy, frosty tone, Seo Jeong-woon playfully shook his head. Do Yi-hyun curled his tingling fingers into a fist and got out of the car. He moved with the intention of getting on the elevator before Seo Jeong-woon could follow, but the moment he took a step, he spotted an employee peeking in their direction.

“Are you two coming to work together?”

The employee, who bowed in greeting, looked at Seo Jeong-woon’s car with a puzzled expression. If left like this, it was clear all sorts of rumors would spread in an instant. Do Yi-hyun glanced at Seo Jeong-woon with an indifferent expression.

Just what did Seo Jeong-woon plan to do?

“Yes. Yi-hyun’s car broke down.”

“……”

Seo Jeong-woon smoothly lied without batting an eye, as usual. Do Yi-hyun pressed his lips tightly together. He desperately wanted to object, but it was a situation difficult to deny.

“Wow, you really are as close as I heard.”

The employee looked at the two with curious eyes.

“Of course.”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled slightly and bumped shoulders with Do Yi-hyun. Then he began pushing him subtly but with force.

‘What is he doing?’

Do Yi-hyun stiffened his waist and stood straight, glaring at Seo Jeong-woon inconspicuously. Seo Jeong-woon, who looked back at Do Yi-hyun, pouted his lips slightly in dissatisfaction. Seo Jeong-woon stopped his strange behavior and subtly stepped forward one step.

The figure of the employee, who had been rolling his eyes, was completely hidden by Seo Jeong-woon’s large frame. Do Yi-hyun turned his head away indifferently.

***

It was the moment he looked up because his shoulders felt stiff after quickly scanning through documents.

“What should I do. I think I’ve completely fallen for our Team leader.”

A lamenting voice came from one side of the office. In the past, he would have cleanly ignored it, but Do Yi-hyun found himself looking in the direction of the voice without realizing it.

“Gasp.”

The team member who made direct eye contact with Do Yi-hyun gasped in panic. The team member hurriedly flipped over the employee ID hanging around his neck so Do Yi-hyun couldn’t see the name. His short bob hair was slightly disheveled.

“That new employee from before came and went earlier, and he kept stealing glances only at the Team leader.”

Then another team member nearby playfully puckered his lips. The team member with bob hair poked him with his elbow, whispering so it wouldn’t be heard, but the tall team member mischievishly shrugged his shoulders. Do Yi-hyun looked at the two with an indifferent gaze.

He had no idea who they were referring to as ‘that new employee from before.’

“I knew it would happen, but it’s a shame.”

The tall team member shook his head back and forth.

“Let it go. Who hasn’t had a one-sided crush on our Team leader? He’ll probably give up appropriately.”

Another employee sipping coffee chimed in.

“True. If our Team leader was the type to date within the company, I would have long ago……”

“Hey now. Even cold water has its hierarchy.”

The team members bantered playfully as usual, chatting warmly and cheerfully. Do Yi-hyun let the laughter flow past his ears and focused on work again.

***

“Yi-hyun, come here.”After Do Yi-hyun finished washing up and came out, Seo Jeong-woon, who was sitting on the sofa, waved his hand and called him over. As Yi-hyun trudged closer, Jeong-woon spread his arms wide open. Yi-hyun paused for a moment, quietly looking down at the brightly smiling face, then straddled his thighs.

“Haha.”

Jeong-woon wrapped his arms around Yi-hyun’s waist and chuckled softly. Ever since collapsing at the company, Jeong-woon had clung to Yi-hyun relentlessly. It was somewhat less intense outside, but when they were alone at home like this, he couldn’t bear to be apart from Yi-hyun.

Now, Yi-hyun found it more awkward to sit on the bare sofa. Of course, Yi-hyun had initially pushed him away in disgust. But no matter how much he refused and resisted, Jeong-woon always ended up getting what he wanted.

Unwillingly, Yi-hyun learned to compromise appropriately. Unfortunately, with Jeong-woon, that approach was far more efficient. Stubbornly resisting only drained his energy.

“Hmm.”

Jeong-woon, who had been rubbing Yi-hyun’s waist, narrowed his eyes and tilted his head.

“……Why are you looking at me like that?”

Yi-hyun asked awkwardly. Jeong-woon seemed to be in a very good mood. He didn’t know why, but he seemed rather pleased about something.

“I’m just surprised you’re not running away.”

Jeong-woon adjusted his hold on Yi-hyun, his eyes curving into crescents.

“Why would I run away?”

Yi-hyun slightly furrowed his brows. Even if he had cut off Jeong-woon’s reckless advances, he had never run away at the very least. Jeong-woon must have interpreted things strangely in his own way again.

“Haha. Exactly.”

Jeong-woon just chuckled softly. Even as he did, he gently stroked Yi-hyun’s side. Since they started mixing their bodies, Jeong-woon’s physical affection had noticeably increased.

Though it was occasionally uncomfortable, it felt ridiculous to act reserved now. While there had been a clear change between them, their ambiguous relationship remained. Yi-hyun gazed steadily down at Jeong-woon, who was sparkling brightly.

Without asking for permission, Jeong-woon neatly undid the buttons of Yi-hyun’s pajamas, as if they were his own clothes, without any hesitation. Yi-hyun glanced at his gradually exposed body.

Beneath the thin fabric, traces left by Jeong-woon were densely scattered. His muscles had slightly diminished overall, but his chest had grown a bit larger. Whether it was his imagination or not, his nipples also seemed more swollen than before.

‘……My stomach has protruded a bit, hasn’t it.’

During the regular check-up, the doctor said the baby was a bit small for its gestational age. Perhaps because of that, it still wasn’t very noticeable from the outside. Aside from feeling slightly uncomfortable when wearing a suit, he didn’t really feel it much.

“It’s quite bulging now. It’s worth feeding you well.”

On the other hand, Jeong-woon happily caressed Yi-hyun’s lower abdomen. He seemed to clearly perceive differences even Yi-hyun hadn’t noticed. Come to think of it, without any prior notice, he had brought new suits tailored to the changed size.

Jeong-woon carefully laid Yi-hyun down on the sofa while holding him. Then, he planted soft kisses on Yi-hyun’s fully exposed lower abdomen.

“Do-dam, it’s Mommy.”

Jeong-woon whispered in an unbearably sweet voice. Just hearing it made his ears tingle.

“……Do-dam?”

Yi-hyun, who had been rubbing his earlobe, belatedly caught the unfamiliar term.

“Yeah. Our baby’s fetal name. Do-dam.”

Jeong-woon grinned and rubbed his cheek against Yi-hyun’s still firm stomach. At the mention of a fetal name, Yi-hyun paused. He had also thought several times that a fetal name was needed.

But for some reason, he couldn’t easily decide. It wasn’t that he wanted to give it a grand fetal name, but perhaps because the period of hoping only for the baby’s safety and being unable to name it had been too long.

“…….”

Yi-hyun carefully examined Jeong-woon, who was beaming. Once, Jeong-woon had asked about the baby’s fetal name. Since then, there had been no mention, so he thought he wasn’t particularly interested, but he never expected him to suddenly call out a fetal name.

“Aren’t you going to ask why I named it Do-dam?”

Jeong-woon’s eyes sparkled as he rested his chin on Yi-hyun’s chest.

“……What does it mean?”

Yi-hyun slowly opened his mouth.

“It means I hope it resembles you, Yi-hyun. How pretty would that be?”

Jeong-woon smiled shyly with his eyes. In contrast, Yi-hyun frowned.

‘Pretty if it resembles me?’

Yi-hyun’s appearance couldn’t even be called pretty as a compliment. Jeong-woon was clearly teasing him again. If Joo Na-hye heard this, she’d be hopping mad.

After seeing Jeong-woon, whenever she occasionally contacted him, Joo Na-hye would giggle and say she prayed the baby would look exactly like Jeong-woon. Jeong-woon hooked his thumb into the waistband of Yi-hyun’s pants and gently pulled them down. Then, he softly rubbed his lips against the sensitive skin that was subtly revealed.

Just a little lower, and his genitals would be visible.

“Ah…….”

Yi-hyun pursed his lips and turned his head away.

“We’re talking to our Do-dam, what if you make such lewd sounds?”

Jeong-woon playfully scolded as he caressed Yi-hyun’s pelvic bone. A faint wrinkle formed on Yi-hyun’s smooth forehead. He had merely let out a sigh.

Jeong-woon sometimes acted as if he couldn’t stand not teasing Yi-hyun like this.

“Grow up quickly, Do-dam.”

Jeong-woon kept talking to the baby while fiddling with Yi-hyun’s bare skin. Yi-hyun gritted his teeth and endured the ticklish sensation. Only after a long while did Jeong-woon slowly move upward.

He pressed firm kisses on the sunken upper abdomen and the chest marked with bite marks. Jeong-woon, now at eye level with Yi-hyun, tapped his own lips with his index finger. It meant he wanted a kiss.

At some point, Jeong-woon started hinting like this rather than initiating the kiss first. If Yi-hyun just stared blankly, he would lower his eyes slightly and purse his lips gently. This time was no different.

When Yi-hyun remained still, Jeong-woon gently stroked his chin. Under Jeong-woon’s affectionate touch, the corners of Yi-hyun’s mouth drooped. Every time he took a step back like this, it felt strange.

Yi-hyun swallowed a sigh, wrapped his hand around the back of Jeong-woon’s neck, and closed his eyes. Just as their lips were about to meet—Bzzzz.

Yi-hyun’s phone rang loudly. Both of them flinched and froze.

“……Who is it at this hour?”Seo Jeong-woon asked slowly, twisting one corner of his mouth. It was already past 9 p.m., as Do Yi-hyun had come home late after working overtime and having dinner. Do Yi-hyun didn’t answer and tried to push Seo Jeong-woon’s shoulder away.

But before Do Yi-hyun could even exert any force, Seo Jeong-woon firmly grabbed his wrist.

“Stay here.”

Then he slowly rose from his seat. Do Yi-hyun watched Seo Jeong-woon’s retreating back, repeatedly clenching and unclenching his fist. Perhaps it was because the lingering warmth had faded away.

He felt somewhat empty. Seo Jeong-woon slowly picked up Do Yi-hyun’s phone from the edge of the table. He seemed almost hopeful that the call would end.

After glancing at the glowing screen, Seo Jeong-woon quickly returned to Do Yi-hyun.

“It’s your mother.”

Since it was obvious it would be either his mother or Joo Na-hye, Do Yi-hyun accepted the phone with an indifferent expression.

“Yes, Mother.”

Do Yi-hyun walked past Seo Jeong-woon and headed toward the small room.

-How have you been lately? Is the baby doing well?

His mother asked calmly about Do Yi-hyun and the baby’s well-being.

Since revealing the pregnancy, the frequency of calls with his mother had increased. Even so, the conversations lasted barely five minutes at most.

“There’s no need to worry.”

As Do Yi-hyun paced around the room, his eyes suddenly fell on the rectangular bed. This was the room where he had first woken up after having sex with Seo Jeong-woon in this house. Even recently, depending on Seo Jeong-woon’s whims, he sometimes woke up in that bed.

Of course, no matter where he woke up, they were always tangled together naked.

‘What am I thinking?’

Do Yi-hyun shook his head vigorously, trying to shake off the unnecessary thoughts. It was highly inappropriate to be thinking such things while on the phone with his mother.

-When do you think you’ll introduce them to me?

At his mother’s quiet question, Do Yi-hyun fell silent for a moment. His mother wanted to meet the baby’s other parent.

“……They’re still busy with work, so it’s difficult to find time.”

He had been putting it off with the excuse—or rather, non-excuse—of being busy due to the year-end, and before he knew it, the new year had begun. Do Yi-hyun’s gaze dropped to the floor.

-I understand. Still, I’d like to meet them within this month.

His mother, who had always simply said “I understand,” added one more sentence. As a mother, she must have had many things she wanted to ask.

The fact that she hadn’t pressed him until now and had left him alone was already a sign of her trust and consideration for Do Yi-hyun.

“……Yes. I’ll ask that person soon as well.”

Even as he said it, Do Yi-hyun didn’t want to introduce Seo Jeong-woon to his mother. A gut feeling told him it shouldn’t happen. He should have just said from the beginning that he didn’t know who it was.

Now, even though he knew Seo Jeong-woon was the baby’s other parent, the thought of deceiving his mother didn’t sit well with him. Just as Do Yi-hyun ended the call and turned around—

“Is ‘that person’ referring to me?”

Through the half-open door, he could see Seo Jeong-woon tilting his head to the side.

“……Were you eavesdropping?”

Do Yi-hyun frowned, looking Seo Jeong-woon up and down through the half-open door.

“It just reached my ears?”

Seo Jeong-woon tilted his head and smiled, narrowing his eyes. He was utterly shameless. Come to think of it, Do Yi-hyun hadn’t heard the door open.

Had he been too preoccupied with answering the call to think about closing the door? He couldn’t remember clearly. Lately, he sometimes found himself fuzzy about things that had happened just minutes before.

“What did you want to ask me? Ask me now.”

Seo Jeong-woon strode over with his long legs and lowered his head. He brought his face close to Do Yi-hyun’s nose and grinned brightly.

“……It’s nothing.”

Do Yi-hyun swallowed a sigh. This had become quite troublesome.

“What is it? I’m curious, you know.”

As expected. Seo Jeong-woon grabbed both of Do Yi-hyun’s wrists to prevent him from escaping. He seemed determined not to let go until Do Yi-hyun told the truth.

“It would be better for you to tell me willingly right now.”

Seo Jeong-woon playfully threatened Do Yi-hyun and took a step closer. If he stood still, it seemed they might bump into each other. Do Yi-hyun reflexively stepped back.

As if expecting that, Seo Jeong-woon closed the distance in quick succession. Do Yi-hyun, who had been retreating continuously, eventually stumbled against the bed.

“Ugh.”

Do Yi-hyun’s upper body swayed heavily. Seo Jeong-woon firmly supported his waist and gently laid him down on the bed. Thanks to that, the impact wasn’t severe.

“You should be careful.”

Despite being the cause, Seo Jeong-woon drooped his eyebrows with a very concerned expression. Do Yi-hyun silently glared at him.

“You know I’m persistent, right?”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled with his eyes and climbed on top of Do Yi-hyun. Then, he gathered Do Yi-hyun’s hands above his head and pressed them down firmly with one hand. Do Yi-hyun stared into his pale grayish-brown eyes and slowly opened his mouth.

“…Mother said she wanted to see you once.”

“Good.”

Seo Jeong-woon readily nodded even before Do Yi-hyun could finish his sentence. It should have been burdensome, but he even laughed with a low, rumbling sound, as if pleased by Do Yi-hyun’s words.

“There’s no need to go that far.”

Do Yi-hyun twisted his wrist, which was held by Seo Jeong-woon, and clearly drew a line. Although Seo Jeong-woon was the child’s other parent, that was the extent of it. There was no reason for him to meet Mother.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said.”

A brief silence lingered between the two. Seo Jeong-woon, who had momentarily lost his smile, curled one corner of his mouth diagonally.

“Does Lee Hyun not want to introduce me to Mother?”

“Well…”

It was a natural thing. They were cooperating for the child’s sake, but they weren’t at a stage to introduce each other to family. Seo Jeong-woon should also know well why Do Yi-hyun hadn’t brought up Mother.

“Is it because you’re embarrassed by me? That would hurt.”

Seo Jeong-woon spouted nonsense and deliberately slumped his shoulders. Then, he blinked pitifully. It was an annoying act.

Do Yi-hyun stared up at him blankly. He couldn’t understand why Seo Jeong-woon wanted to meet Mother.

“…I’ll think about it.”

Do Yi-hyun vaguely brushed it off and turned away. But the moment he uttered those words, a vague intuition arose that this time, too, things would flow according to Seo Jeong-woon’s intentions.

‘That won’t happen.’

Do Yi-hyun forcibly denied the ominous premonition and turned his back on Seo Jeong-woon.

***

“When are you free? I’m fine today too.”

Since that day, Seo Jeong-woon had been constantly bringing up Mother’s topic, testing Do Yi-hyun. True to his word about being persistent, he showed no signs of stopping until he met Mother.

“Why are you hesitating?”

When Do Yi-hyun remained silent, Seo Jeong-woon narrowed his eyes with an expression of incomprehension. There were plenty of reasons why Do Yi-hyun was reluctant to introduce Seo Jeong-woon to Mother. However, knowing well that any rebuttal would only get him entangled in Seo Jeong-woon’s stubbornness, Do Yi-hyun maintained his silence.

“Do-dam, Daddy is really weird, right?”

When Do Yi-hyun didn’t even open his mouth, Seo Jeong-woon, bending his waist, whispered as if speaking to the child. A hint of laughter seeped into his affectionate tone.

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Do Yi-hyun pressed down on Seo Jeong-woon’s crown with his palm and clicked his tongue irritably.

“Think about it. After Do-dam is born, we’ll occasionally run into each other, wouldn’t it be better to formally introduce ourselves? Mother would also feel reassured.”

Seo Jeong-woon confidently raised his head while stroking Do Yi-hyun’s forearm. Do Yi-hyun stared at him with a bewildered expression.

‘…Does he plan to keep in touch even after the child is born?’

Judging by his current behavior, it seemed Seo Jeong-woon would stubbornly seek him out no matter what Do Yi-hyun said. In that case, it might be better to establish a connection in advance. But he really didn’t feel like introducing Seo Jeong-woon to Mother.

‘What exactly should I introduce him as?’

Seo Jeong-woon was his company superior and the child’s other parent. Due to pheromone rejection syndrome, they frequently mixed bodies, but they didn’t have any particular relationship. Though they lived together as if they were, they were the kind of people who could become complete strangers again at any moment without it being strange.

Seo Jeong-woon, who had been caressing Do Yi-hyun’s firm cheek, suddenly let out a deflated, breathy laugh.

“You’re not worrying unnecessarily, are you? Just tell Mother we’re dating. With marriage as a premise. Then it’s simple, right?”

Seo Jeong-woon imitated Do Yi-hyun’s tone from earlier and wrinkled his nose. It seemed he had instantly guessed what Do Yi-hyun was thinking from his awkward expression.

“…”

Do Yi-hyun subtly averted his gaze. Although he knew Seo Jeong-woon’s suggestion was the simplest and easiest method, he really didn’t like the idea of lying to Mother.

“Don’t make that face. It’s just one day, do you dislike it that much?”

Seo Jeong-woon pouted his lips and pressed Do Yi-hyun’s furrowed brow with his thumb.

“Anyway, it won’t be much different.”

Seo Jeong-woon muttered something incomprehensible and shrugged his shoulders with a playful expression.

“It’s all for our Do-dam.”

Seo Jeong-woon pulled Do Yi-hyun’s hand and firmly pressed his lips against his palm. Do Yi-hyun felt strangely suffocated, as if his throat was blocked.

***

Succumbing to Seo Jeong-woon’s persistent persuasion that lasted over a week, Do Yi-hyun reluctantly contacted Mother.

Mother was much happier than Do Yi-hyun had expected. Both Seo Jeong-woon and Mother wanted to meet as soon as possible, and as a result, they decided to meet right away on the weekend. Not having anticipated things would progress so urgently, Do Yi-hyun was inwardly flustered.

“…Let’s get our stories straight first.”

Do Yi-hyun muttered while lying down with Seo Jeong-woon’s arm as a pillow. Having had sex for two consecutive days, his waist was tingling and he felt drowsy. Although he didn’t like deceiving Mother, it was better than getting caught.

“What’s there to get straight? We just need to match our terms of address. You’re not going to call me ‘Executive Director’ in front of Mother, are you?”

“…”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled slyly with his eyes and stroked Do Yi-hyun’s side.

“Hyun-ah. Darling. Honey.”

When Do Yi-hyun glared at him, Seo Jeong-woon whispered sweetly. At the embarrassing terms of endearment he had never heard from Seo Jeong-woon before, Do Yi-hyun took a sharp breath.

“Which of the three do you like? Ah, call me Jeong-woon Hyung. Cutely.”

Seo Jeong-woon rubbed his delicate nose bridge against Do Yi-hyun’s cheek and giggled. It seemed he found it quite amusing how Do Yi-hyun weakened whenever Mother was mentioned.

“I dislike all of them.”

Do Yi-hyun, who had been staring blankly at Seo Jeong-woon, abruptly turned his head away. He felt momentarily upset, wondering if Seo Jeong-woon was taking the meeting with Mother lightly. Since she was precious family, he didn’t want to introduce just anyone.

If Mother hadn’t genuinely wanted it, he would never have brought Seo Jeong-woon along.

“Darling is probably best for a dating couple, right? Darling, should I massage your waist?”

Despite Do Yi-hyun showing signs of discomfort, Seo Jeong-woon continued his mischief, planting kisses on his firm shoulders.

***

Although he wished the weekend wouldn’t come, time flew by like an arrow. On Sunday evening, Do Yi-hyun waited for Seo Jeong-woon in front of Mother’s house.

He had naturally assumed they would visit together, but Seo Jeong-woon said he had somewhere to stop by first and sent Do Yi-hyun ahead. Thanks to that, Do Yi-hyun spent time alone with Mother for the first time in a while. Stepfather and Choi Seon-woo said they wouldn’t be back home until tonight.

‘When is he coming?’

Do Yi-hyun checked his phone again. Seo Jeong-woon hadn’t been in contact for several minutes. Although there were still about ten minutes left until the appointed time, he felt inexplicably anxious.

Just then, a man in a neatly dressed dark gray suit approached with a leisurely gait from the alley entrance. His neatly swept-back light hair shimmered in the sunlight. His well-shaped lips were curved in a beaming smile.

The man gazed intently at Do Yi-hyun, who was standing tall.

“You’ve arrived.”

Do Yi-hyun, who had let out a short breath, nodded slightly at Seo Jeong-woon. But the person who would usually cling tightly and hug Do Yi-hyun suddenly stopped five steps away.

“What’s this. Do you recognize me now?”

Seo Jeong-woon widened his eyes with their pretty double eyelids. He looked genuinely surprised, unlike his usual self.

“That’s…”

Do Yi-hyun trailed off, about to ask what he meant. Come to think of it, until now, Seo Jeong-woon had always affectionately called him ‘Lee Hyun’ first and acted familiar.

But just now, he hadn’t said a word. It was the first time Do Yi-hyun had recognized Seo Jeong-woon first. Although he had been trying to memorize Seo Jeong-woon’s face, it felt quite strange.

It was news that would make Joo Na-hye foam at the mouth and collapse. After all, Do Yi-hyun still couldn’t recognize Joo Na-hye, whom he had known for over ten years.

“Hahaha.”

Seo Jeong-woon brightly laughed and pulled Do Yi-hyun into a hug. He looked very happy. It was understandable, since his pride must have been considerably hurt by not being recognized until now.

“Let’s go in.”

Still, he didn’t like being hugged in an alley where anyone could pass by. Do Yi-hyun pushed Seo Jeong-woon’s back.

“Yeah, let’s go together.”

Without even asking for permission, Seo Jeong-woon grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s hand. Under the pretext of needing to be careful, Seo Jeong-woon often wrapped his arms around Do Yi-hyun’s shoulders or waist, but holding hands was extremely rare.

“What are you doing?”

Do Yi-hyun twisted his wrist a bit urgently. It felt like his palms might sweat.

“What’s wrong with a couple holding hands? Don’t be so stiff.”

But Seo Jeong-woon smiled brightly and pressed their shoulders together. The more Do Yi-hyun tried to pull away, the tighter he held on. At this rate, he would end up meeting Mother with bruises on the back of his hand.

Do Yi-hyun glared fiercely at Seo Jeong-woon but quickly walked ahead. Fortunately, when they rang the bell, he obediently let go.

“Come on in.”

Mother welcomed them with a faint smile. She alternated her gaze between Do Yi-hyun and Seo Jeong-woon with her black eyes, identical to Do Yi-hyun’s.

“Nice to meet you, Mother. I’m Seo Jeong-woon. I’m sorry I didn’t visit sooner.”

Seo Jeong-woon greeted her politely and respectfully. Do Yi-hyun glanced at him with an awkward gaze. He had grown accustomed to Seo Jeong-woon acting willfully.

Facing such a proper Seo Jeong-woon felt unfamiliar.

“It’s nothing much, but I prepared a small gift. I couldn’t come empty-handed.”

Seo Jeong-woon handed something to Mother. Only then did Do Yi-hyun realize Seo Jeong-woon had been holding a neat paper bag.

“You didn’t have to… I’ll gratefully accept it.”

Do Yi-hyun and Seo Jeong-woon followed Mother’s guidance inside. Do Yi-hyun kept glancing at Seo Jeong-woon. It felt incredibly strange that Seo Jeong-woon was at Mother’s house.

It felt even more peculiar than when he had visited Seo Jeong-woon’s own home.

“Nice to meet you.”

“I’ve been wanting to meet you too. I wondered who Lee Hyun took after to be so pretty, but he takes after you, Mother.”

Seo Jeong-woon casually flattered her.

“Oh, really?”

Mother seemed surprised by Seo Jeong-woon’s comment that Do Yi-hyun was pretty. Do Yi-hyun wiped his face to hide his expression. Truly, Seo Jeong-woon was a person who knew no shame.

“There’s not much prepared, but please eat a lot.”

“Wow, it looks really delicious. I like cooking too, I should have come earlier to help. Thank you, I’ll enjoy it.”

While Do Yi-hyun kept his mouth tightly shut, Seo Jeong-woon and Mother cheerfully engaged in lively conversation.

‘Haa.’

Do Yi-hyun sighed silently. The awkward feeling wouldn’t fade.

“How did you and Hyun meet?”

Mother cautiously asked Seo Jeong-woon a question. She didn’t even glance at Do Yi-hyun. She knew well that asking Do Yi-hyun wouldn’t yield an answer.

“We work at the same company. I fell for Lee Hyun and persistently followed him around.”

Seo Jeong-woon lied smoothly without batting an eye even in front of Mother. Although Do Yi-hyun’s desire to refute him was immense, he couldn’t say anything and just gulped down plain water.

“Drink slowly.”

Seo Jeong-woon poured water into the empty cup and placed side dishes on Do Yi-hyun’s spoon. Just as Do Yi-hyun was about to mindlessly put the spoon in his mouth, he raised his head at the blatant gaze. Mother was staring intently at Do Yi-hyun with an expression full of things she wanted to say.

“Ah.”

Do Yi-hyun, who had been blinking for a moment, belatedly looked down at the side dish placed on his spoon.

“Sorry. It’s a habit…”

Seo Jeong-woon scratched his cheek insincerely and smiled subtly with his eyes. Even though Do Yi-hyun repeatedly refused, Seo Jeong-woon often picked up side dishes for him. But it hadn’t become such a habit that he would make a mistake in front of Mother.

It was clearly intentional.

‘Why is he doing weird things?’

For Do Yi-hyun, who wanted to send Seo Jeong-woon back as quickly and quietly as possible, this was an unwelcome sudden action. Since he couldn’t remove the side dish now, Do Yi-hyun averted Mother’s gaze and silently swallowed his rice.

“It’s fine. It’s nice to see. Haha.”

Mother let out a low laugh. Do Yi-hyun stared blankly at her. It had been a really long time since he had seen Mother wear such a relaxed smile.

“Thank you for looking at us fondly.”

Seo Jeong-woon grinned cheekily. Then, as if thinking he had received Mother’s approval, he began meticulously taking care of Do Yi-hyun. Once he became aware of it, every move Seo Jeong-woon made bothered him.

“…Please do it in moderation.”

“Huh?”

Unable to bear it, Do Yi-hyun spoke up, but Seo Jeong-woon, who was handing him a tissue, tilted his head with an innocent expression.

“Hmm. I didn’t raise him this preciously.”

Mother, who had been quietly watching, also awkwardly averted her gaze. But she didn’t seem to dislike Seo Jeong-woon acting familiarly with Do Yi-hyun. Rather, she found it amusing.

“He’s too precious to me. Have you heard the baby’s temporary name?”

“Temporary name?”

“You haven’t heard. I thought so. I should have told you.”

Seo Jeong-woon looked back at Do Yi-hyun and mischievously winked.

“Do-dam. I named it hoping it would resemble Lee Hyun.”

“It’s a cute temporary name. Thank you. If it were up to Hyun, he would have agonized over it and never been able to decide until the end.”

“That’s why I secretly named it. Did I do well?”

Seo Jeong-woon chuckled. Do Yi-hyun frowned. The more he looked, the more it seemed like Seo Jeong-woon, not himself, was Mother’s son.

“Haha, why are you sulking?”

Seo Jeong-woon placed his hand on Do Yi-hyun’s thigh and asked affectionately, as if coaxing a child. His grayish-brown eyes shone warmly. Do Yi-hyun glanced at the sweet smile on his lips and then shifted his gaze.

Beyond Seo Jeong-woon’s straight shoulders, he could see Mother. She wore a very comfortable expression. Warm air enveloped Do Yi-hyun’s back.

Suddenly, he thought this moment felt like a perfectly painted scene. Do Yi-hyun had never longed for his own complete family. Even if the underlying circumstances weren’t like that, on the surface, the three of them looked like an incomparably happy family.

To think he had become family with none other than Seo Jeong-woon. It was absurd. Do Yi-hyun gritted his teeth imperceptibly.

Although his imagination was poor and he couldn’t conjure specific scenes, in Do Yi-hyun’s vague desires, there should have been a young child, not Seo Jeong-woon.

‘Don’t entertain useless imaginations.’

Do Yi-hyun tried to shake off the stray thoughts, but ironically, the more he tried to erase them, the clearer the delusions became. Now, the image of Seo Jeong-woon holding a small child in his arms even flickered vaguely. The most awkward thing was that he himself felt no sense of incongruity even when imagining a future with Seo Jeong-woon.

Far from feeling awkward, rather…

“Is there something uncomfortable?”

When Do Yi-hyun stopped eating and stared blankly into space, Seo Jeong-woon quickly changed his expression. With a worried look, he lowered his voice and grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s forearm. Wondering if morning sickness had recurred, if pheromones were insufficient, or if he was feeling dizzy.

Seo Jeong-woon carefully observed Do Yi-hyun.

“I’m fine.”

Do Yi-hyun pulled his arm away and slowly turned his head. He tried to maintain a calm expression as if unperturbed, but Seo Jeong-woon could hardly take his eyes off him.

“You remember our promise, right?”

Seo Jeong-woon asked subtly while stroking Do Yi-hyun’s lower back. He seemed to be referring to their agreement to inform him immediately if his physical condition wasn’t good. Do Yi-hyun quietly nodded.

It seemed he was speaking indirectly because they were in front of Mother.

“Lee Hyun.”

Mother called Do Yi-hyun with a worried expression. It was a short phrase that might sound cold at first glance, but Do Yi-hyun could feel the deep-seated concern and anxiety packed tightly within it. Do Yi-hyun pressed his lips into a straight line and lowered his gaze.

He hadn’t told Mother about suffering from morning sickness or collapsing due to pheromone rejection syndrome. Since there was no way to solve it anyway, he didn’t want to cause unnecessary worry.

“I’m sorry, Mother. You must have been startled. I have too many pointless worries. I’m terrified that if the wind blows, Lee Hyun might fly away.”

Seeing Do Yi-hyun show discomfort, Seo Jeong-woon stepped in to ease the tense atmosphere.

“……Lee Hyun?”

Until then, Mother had smiled faintly at Seo Jeong-woon’s exaggeration, but this time she stiffened her lips awkwardly. Do Yi-hyun boasted a sturdy physique over 180cm tall. Even if he tried to fly away in the wind, he couldn’t.

“Hahaha, that’s why I try to hold onto him all the time.”

Seo Jeong-woon grinned smoothly, seeing Mother react similarly to Do Yi-hyun. Mother glanced at Do Yi-hyun briefly before continuing her conversation softly with Seo Jeong-woon. Clearly, Mother knew his condition was unstable.

Yet, as usual, she didn’t pry unnecessarily. Do Yi-hyun felt relieved but also bitter. Tap, tap.

Seo Jeong-woon lightly patted Do Yi-hyun’s back as if to say it was okay. Thump, thump, thump. A slow, strong pulse began to resonate from where Seo Jeong-woon’s hand touched, spreading throughout his body.

As if that were a signal, Do Yi-hyun resumed eating. Thanks to Seo Jeong-woon lightening the mood, his heart felt somewhat more at ease. Being influenced by Seo Jeong-woon’s actions wasn’t so awkward anymore.

They say you don’t notice your clothes getting wet in a drizzle. Before he knew it, Do Yi-hyun had grown accustomed to Seo Jeong-woon’s small acts of care. Do Yi-hyun slowly took in Seo Jeong-woon’s neat profile and Mother’s faint smile.

It felt like this scene would be deeply etched in his mind and remain unforgettable for a long time. He wanted to see Seo Jeong-woon’s bright smile head-on. Do Yi-hyun unconsciously reached out to Seo Jeong-woon but stopped short.

‘What was I about to do just now?’

Do Yi-hyun’s lips twitched slightly. For a moment, he had wanted to grab Seo Jeong-woon and make him look at him. He had taken it for granted that if their eyes met, Seo Jeong-woon would smile brightly.

Now, he had no choice but to admit it. Seo Jeong-woon was an uninvited guest who had abruptly entered his daily life. But no matter how many times he tried to drive him away, Seo Jeong-woon stubbornly invaded Do Yi-hyun’s territory and, it seemed, had finally carved out his own place.

What kind of place that was, even Do Yi-hyun, who had yielded the space, couldn’t tell. It was hard to deny that Seo Jeong-woon had at least set foot in the part of Do Yi-hyun’s heart he had wanted to fill entirely with family.

‘I don’t want to be swayed.’

Do Yi-hyun clenched his fist imperceptibly. He wasn’t pleased with Seo Jeong-woon delving any deeper into his daily life. Yet, he didn’t want to push him away completely either.

It was a contradictory feeling. As dinner ended, Do Yi-hyun tried to hurry back. But since Mother held him back, insisting he have dessert before leaving, he had no choice but to sit back down.

The three sat around the living room sofa, eating fruit.

“He eats every meal properly, so you don’t need to worry. Darling, no, Lee Hyun……”

Seo Jeong-woon, who had been chattering nonstop, made another sly slip of the tongue.

“Thank you. That eases my worries.”

Although Mother looked at Seo Jeong-woon curiously whenever he acted so naturally, she seemed quite fond of him. It was understandable; Seo Jeong-woon was sociable and polite in public. It was a mystery why such a person acted like a rascal only in front of him.

Do Yi-hyun nudged Seo Jeong-woon’s side with his elbow. Then, taking advantage of Mother not looking, he mouthed for him to stop. There was no need to stubbornly pretend to be lovers.

Seo Jeong-woon stared blankly, tilting his head, then mimicked Do Yi-hyun’s mouth movements. P, p, o, k, i, s, s, m, e? Reading Seo Jeong-woon’s lip movements carefully, Do Yi-hyun grimaced and turned his head away sharply. The back of his neck felt hot.

Should he be grateful it wasn’t said out loud in front of Mother?

“Mother, did you know? Lee Hyun is famous as a workaholic at his company.”

Seo Jeong-woon wrapped an arm around Do Yi-hyun’s shoulder and smiled playfully. Despite being an uncomfortable relationship, Seo Jeong-woon continued the conversation amiably. Naturally, most of the topics between Seo Jeong-woon and Mother were about Do Yi-hyun.

Mother only gave short replies and nodded, but she seemed subtly interested in stories she couldn’t hear from Do Yi-hyun’s own mouth.

“……So, Lee Hyun’s team members always wear their employee badges.”

Seo Jeong-woon whispered as if sharing a secret.

‘How does he know that story?’

Do Yi-hyun, who had been listening quietly, raised an eyebrow. At first, he let it slide, but even incidents only known to the Accounting Team 2 members came pouring out.

“Who did you hear that from?”

Just as Do Yi-hyun was about to question Seo Jeong-woon, click. The firmly closed front door slid open, cutting off the conversation.

Through the narrow gap, Choi Seon-woo, wearing an awkward expression, cautiously peeked his head in.

“Hello. Have you been well, uh, Hyung……?”

Choi Seon-woo scratched his cheek sheepishly upon seeing Do Yi-hyun, then noticed Seo Jeong-woon sitting beside him and gaped.

“Um, I left my laptop, and I need to do my assignment, but the person coming today, uh, as far as I know, I mean, uh?”

Choi Seon-woo stood awkwardly in the doorway without entering, rambling incoherently. He looked pale, as if very surprised.

“Seon-woo, long time no see.”

In contrast, Seo Jeong-woon waved his hand nonchalantly.

“You two know each other?”

“Yes. We met by chance near the company and had a meal together once.”

When Mother looked puzzled, Seo Jeong-woon explained briefly.

‘By chance, my foot.’

Do Yi-hyun twisted his lips slightly.

“……I see.”

Mother looked at Seo Jeong-woon with a peculiar expression. Excluding Joo Na-hye, who had naturally learned about Mother’s remarriage, Do Yi-hyun had never voluntarily revealed his relationship with Choi Seon-woo to anyone until now. Seo Jeong-woon was the first to say it directly.

“Seon-woo.”

Mother called Choi Seon-woo softly.

“Yes, yes. Sorry for interrupting!”

Choi Seon-woo, who had been confused, barely regained his composure at Mother’s somewhat stern tone and hurriedly ran to his room.

‘Is it really that surprising?’

Do Yi-hyun glanced sullenly at Choi Seon-woo’s retreating back.

“Lee Hyun.”

Seo Jeong-woon secretly grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s hand tightly, out of Mother’s sight. Then he leaned in slightly.

“Are you eyeing another Alpha right now, Darling?”

The softly whispered voice held no trace of amusement. Do Yi-hyun glared at Seo Jeong-woon for talking nonsense. When their eyes met, Seo Jeong-woon grinned.

It was fortunate Mother didn’t hear this unfunny joke.

***

Do Yi-hyun took advantage of the disrupted atmosphere from Choi Seon-woo’s appearance to pull Seo Jeong-woon out. Seo Jeong-woon smiled brightly at Mother, saying he’d visit again next time.

But Do Yi-hyun planned to avoid the two meeting as much as possible from now on. Just as he and Seo Jeong-woon were, there was nothing good about Mother and Seo Jeong-woon becoming close.

‘I’m tired.’

Do Yi-hyun rubbed his stiff neck. Whether he was drained of energy or not, his eyelids felt heavy as they closed.

“Darling, are you going to bed right away?”

As he headed to the bathroom, Seo Jeong-woon chuckled and grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s waist.

“Didn’t I tell you not to call me that?”

Do Yi-hyun revealed his displeasure with a sharp tone. The situation was already uncomfortable, and Seo Jeong-woon’s sudden strange actions had him on edge.

“We’re dating for today, aren’t we? It’s not past midnight yet, so Lee Hyun is my Darling.”

Seo Jeong-woon shamelessly babbled and kissed Do Yi-hyun’s cheek. Whether it was his mood or not, it felt oddly spiteful.

“Move.”

Do Yi-hyun muttered curtly and tried to remove Seo Jeong-woon’s firm grip on his waist. But instead, his wrist was caught by Seo Jeong-woon. Seo Jeong-woon pulled Do Yi-hyun’s hand and placed it on his own collar.

“You take it off for me. I dressed up nicely, you know.”

Seo Jeong-woon, smiling with his eyes crinkled, pulled Do Yi-hyun close and hugged him tightly.

“Haa.”

Do Yi-hyun sighed but grabbed his tie. He planned to just undo a few shirt buttons and be done with it. Otherwise, it was clear something more tiring would happen.

As Do Yi-hyun reluctantly moved his hand, Seo Jeong-woon’s sharp eyes softened gently. Do Yi-hyun found himself momentarily captivated. Seo Jeong-woon’s claim of dressing up nicely was no exaggeration.

He was the most meticulously groomed Do Yi-hyun had ever seen. His neatly styled hair, with each strand carefully arranged, gave off an intellectual vibe, and his slightly reddish lips, whatever he had applied, were moist. Do Yi-hyun swallowed dryly and slowly lowered his hand.

The perfectly fitted suit became disheveled under Do Yi-hyun’s touch. It felt a bit strange.

‘Let’s finish this quickly.’

Do Yi-hyun furrowed his brow and lowered his head. As the distance closed, he could sense Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones.

“Ugh……”

Even though Seo Jeong-woon wasn’t emitting pheromones strongly, just the fragrant scent brushing past his nose made Do Yi-hyun’s lower abdomen tingle. Do Yi-hyun took half a step back. Unlike the strange energy emanating from the pheromones, Seo Jeong-woon’s face was pale.

Forcing his unmoving pupils downward, Do Yi-hyun quickly moved his hands. But since undressing someone else was unfamiliar, it felt awkward and uncomfortable. He fumbled several times.

One, two. As the buttons came undone, Seo Jeong-woon’s broad chest and distinct abs were revealed. Do Yi-hyun gritted his teeth.

His palm itched for no reason. In his haste, Do Yi-hyun’s fingertips brushed against smooth bare skin.

“Mmm.”

Seo Jeong-woon deliberately hummed and lightly wrapped his hand around Do Yi-hyun’s forearm. Then he subtly rubbed the tender skin inside the wrist with his thumb.

“……You’re in the way.”

Do Yi-hyun deliberately hardened his expression and tried to shake Seo Jeong-woon off.

“Are you really just going to undress me?”

But Seo Jeong-woon smiled calmly and brought Do Yi-hyun’s hand to his chest. Firm muscles filled his palm. At the elastic touch, Do Yi-hyun reflexively twitched his fingers.

Even though they had had sex enough times to count on both hands over the past month, he had never touched Seo Jeong-woon’s body. At most, he had clung to him when unable to bear the pleasure.

“You can touch me however you want. I’m allowing it because you’re my Darling.”

Seo Jeong-woon tilted his waist and neck, finally looking up at Do Yi-hyun. He should have snapped at him to stop doing unnecessary things, but his lips wouldn’t part. The beautifully rounded, lifted eyes and glossy grayish-brown pupils turned Do Yi-hyun’s mind blank.

Unconsciously, Do Yi-hyun cupped Seo Jeong-woon’s cheek.

“Ahaha.”

As if surprised he’d touch somewhere else despite the exposed upper body, Seo Jeong-woon let out a low laugh.

“You really like my face, don’t you, my Darling.”

Seo Jeong-woon rubbed his cheek against Do Yi-hyun’s palm with a satisfied expression. Do Yi-hyun frowned slightly. The soft skin felt incredibly pleasant.

“But you still need to finish undressing me.”

Seo Jeong-woon, lowering his eyes, casually pushed the loose shirt hem aside. Since most buttons were already undone, one side of the shirt slid smoothly off his shoulder.

“…….”

Do Yi-hyun was at a loss for words. Perhaps because his face was pretty, the disheveled look suited him terrifyingly well. The man, half a span taller than him, looked delicate.

Yet, the revealed upper body was covered in solid muscle. Whether from consistent exercise or not, the line from his broad shoulders down to his arms was pleasing to the eye.

“Hurry up.”

When Do Yi-hyun just stared silently, Seo Jeong-woon whined pitifully and pulled Do Yi-hyun’s hand down. Following his gaze downward, Do Yi-hyun shook his head vigorously at the bulging shape between his thighs.

“Why is it like that when we haven’t done anything?”

Seo Jeong-woon’s fully erect member prominently revealed its presence even through his pants. Just looking at it, one could feel the heat.

“Haven’t done anything, you say? Are you going to leave it like this?”

Seo Jeong-woon, shamelessly, kept urging. Do Yi-hyun bit his tongue hard and undid his pants. As he spread the gap, the flushed member was fully exposed.

Merely taken out of his underwear, Seo Jeong-woon’s member stood rigidly, its head raised high enough to touch his lower abdomen. Do Yi-hyun bit his lip. Though they had mingled bodies many times, he had never observed Seo Jeong-woon’s member so closely.

He was always swept away by Seo Jeong-woon. Do Yi-hyun rubbed the firm glans with his thumb.

“Hoo……”

Seo Jeong-woon exhaled a heated breath and looked down at Do Yi-hyun. The gaze fixed on his cheek felt prickly. Do Yi-hyun slowly moved his hand up and down.

The awkward touch soon grew bold.

“……Is it okay.”

Do Yi-hyun stared intently at the twitching member and asked impulsively.

“Huh?”

“……Can I lick it.”

Grind. A sound of teeth grinding came from above. Do Yi-hyun also bit his innocent tongue hard with his molars.

It was something he would never say out loud normally. But due to Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones, his body grew hot, and a massive surge of arousal, enough to make his stomach churn, arose, sweeping him away by instinct. This was all Seo Jeong-woon’s fault.

He often licked Do Yi-hyun’s member as if it were delicious. Not just the member, but other places too. If Do Yi-hyun tried to stop him from licking, he’d even throw a tantrum.

He wondered why Seo Jeong-woon was so obsessed with someone else’s member. Do Yi-hyun rubbed Seo Jeong-woon’s member in circles with his thumb again. The straight, erect member was flawlessly pretty, aside from being disgustingly large.

As he lightly traced the shaft to gauge its size, Seo Jeong-woon grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s chin and lifted it. Do Yi-hyun, who had been observing the member, had no choice but to meet Seo Jeong-woon’s eyes.

“What are you trying to do, stimulating me like this? Do you have any idea how much I’m holding back?”

Seo Jeong-woon pressed his forehead against Do Yi-hyun’s. The low, resonant voice was quite threatening.

“Don’t do something you can’t handle.”

He tapped Do Yi-hyun’s firm cheek with his thumb as if warning. The gaze that had been clear just moments ago had calmed down.

“I dislike being treated as fragile.”

Do Yi-hyun irritably swatted away the finger touching his cheek. If you looked closely, Seo Jeong-woon acted as if Do Yi-hyun couldn’t do anything on his own. Until now, he had let it slide because he didn’t care how Seo Jeong-woon saw him.

But as it kept repeating, it subtly hurt his pride.

“Whether you can handle it or not, you only know after trying, right?”

Above all, when Seo Jeong-woon asserted he couldn’t handle it, a competitive spirit surged. Feeling provoked, Do Yi-hyun slowly bent his knees.

“Really……”

As Do Yi-hyun took the initiative, Seo Jeong-woon groaned and swept his hand over his face. Then he grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s shoulders and lifted him into his arms in one swift motion.

“What are you doing?”

“Were you planning to kneel on the bare floor?”

Seo Jeong-woon strode toward the sofa.

“Let’s just go to the bedroom.”

Do Yi-hyun frowned awkwardly. Engaging in sexual acts anywhere but a bed felt very uncomfortable.

“I can’t wait.”

Seo Jeong-woon replied shortly and brought his face close to Do Yi-hyun’s. The gesture of biting Do Yi-hyun’s lower lip was urgent. Seemingly quite excited, the corners of Seo Jeong-woon’s eyes were slightly red, and his pheromones undulated even more blatantly.

Do Yi-hyun tangled his tongue and inhaled the vivid pheromones deeply. His skin already tingled. But the kiss didn’t last long.

Because Seo Jeong-woon, after seating Do Yi-hyun on the sofa, straightened up properly.

“Try sucking it once.”

Seo Jeong-woon held Do Yi-hyun’s cheek and thrust his member forward. The firm member brushed past Do Yi-hyun’s lips.

“Mph.”

Do Yi-hyun reflexively closed his lips.

“Hurry up.”

Every time Seo Jeong-woon performed fellatio on him, Do Yi-hyun felt his head grow dizzy with shame. Yet Seo Jeong-woon seemed shameless, as if he didn’t know what embarrassment was. Do Yi-hyun slowly grasped the base of Seo Jeong-woon’s penis.

He already knew Seo Jeong-woon was well-endowed, but seeing it up close made it look even larger.

“If you’re not confident, say so now. It’s your last chance.”

Seo Jeong-woon ran his fingers through Do Yi-hyun’s hair. Despite his teasing tone, there was no trace of a smile on his face. His sharp eyes thoroughly scanned Do Yi-hyun.

‘Again.’

Do Yi-hyun frowned. If Seo Jeong-woon genuinely wanted to dissuade him, those were the exact words he shouldn’t have said. Do Yi-hyun hated being told he couldn’t do something or that it was impossible.

Hearing those words triggered his stubborn nature—he wouldn’t rest until he succeeded. Forgetting his hesitation, Do Yi-hyun immediately took Seo Jeong-woon’s penis into his mouth. Just swallowing the glans made his cheeks puff out.

‘…Uncomfortable.’

One of Do Yi-hyun’s eyes twitched. He tried to lower his tongue to make a bit more space, but it didn’t help much. He couldn’t understand how Seo Jeong-woon managed to swallow the entire thing.

Surprisingly, though, it wasn’t unpleasant or disgusting. On the contrary, just holding the hot, firm flesh in his mouth stirred excitement. With each breath, the strong pheromone-laced body scent tickled his nose.

Even just moving his lips made his waist tremble faintly.

‘This is dangerous.’

Do Yi-hyun instinctively sensed danger. If this continued, he would lose his rationality. He urgently pushed against Seo Jeong-woon’s lower abdomen.

He needed at least a moment to calm his arousal.

“Ugh…!”

But Do Yi-hyun couldn’t spit out Seo Jeong-woon’s penis as he wanted. Seo Jeong-woon had grabbed the back of his head with a large hand, holding him firmly in place. Do Yi-hyun glared upward while scratching the tense abdomen, but instead of letting go, Seo Jeong-woon subtly pushed his penis deeper.

“If you provoke first, you have to take responsibility, Darling.”

Seo Jeong-woon tilted one corner of his mouth upward. Perhaps because the light was behind him, his grayish-brown eyes darkened.

“Ugh, ugh!”

Do Yi-hyun shook his head, trying to escape Seo Jeong-woon’s grip. But he was held too tightly to resist effectively.

“Open your throat.”

“Ah, ugh…”

Seo Jeong-woon commanded smoothly, pressing the glans firmly against the soft flesh near Do Yi-hyun’s throat. Judging by his menacing gaze, he showed no sign of backing down no matter what Do Yi-hyun did.

“Don’t clench your teeth.”

With his other hand, Seo Jeong-woon playfully pressed down on Do Yi-hyun’s lips. His mouth was already tight from holding the thick penis, and when Seo Jeong-woon’s thumb forced its way into the narrow gap, it felt like the corners of his mouth might tear.

“Kgh…!”

The rock-hard glans pushed deeper into his throat as Do Yi-hyun swallowed. Ironically, once his throat opened, though it was still challenging, he could swallow the penis deeper. The problem was that insertion wasn’t the end.

Letting out a low sigh, Seo Jeong-woon slowly began moving his hips.

“Ugh, ah, ugh!”

Seo Jeong-woon repeated sliding over Do Yi-hyun’s sensitive mucous membrane and then lightly thrusting. This was no different from intercourse. Do Yi-hyun’s eyelids fluttered.

‘My jaw feels like it’s going to dislocate.’

His ears ached, and his throat felt hot and raw. The unfamiliar sensation was hard to endure. Yet, each time his breath hitched, an inexplicable pleasure surged.

His mind grew muddled from the pheromones invading his nostrils.

“Mmm, feels good.”

Seo Jeong-woon whispered languidly, pushing his penis in a little further. His voice, tinged with arousal, was strangely alluring. Do Yi-hyun closed his eyes, his ears and nape flushed red.

His mind screamed to push Seo Jeong-woon away now and stop this indecent act.

‘Just a little more.’

But his pleasure-drunk instincts wouldn’t release him. Unconsciously, he forced his jaw open wider, struggling to swallow Seo Jeong-woon’s penis completely.

“Hoo.”

When Do Yi-hyun’s throat tightened from suffocation, Seo Jeong-woon briefly furrowed his brow. Perhaps because he had just seen Seo Jeong-woon unravel under his touch, Do Yi-hyun quite liked seeing Seo Jeong-woon lose his composure.

The sight of Seo Jeong-woon biting his lip to suppress a moan sent shivers down his spine. Do Yi-hyun gripped Seo Jeong-woon’s slender hips and recklessly swallowed his penis. He wanted Seo Jeong-woon to release even more intense pheromones.

“Kgh, hgh, ah.”

Do Yi-hyun couldn’t catch his breath, gagging but not stopping. His nose almost touched Seo Jeong-woon’s lower abdomen. Though lightheaded from lack of air, he regretted letting the penis slip out of his mouth.

Then, the penis deep in his throat slid out. Do Yi-hyun stuck out his tongue in frustration, but it was useless.

“Haa, lift your head.”

Seo Jeong-woon lifted Do Yi-hyun’s head and began stroking his shaft against Do Yi-hyun’s face. His movements showed no trace of leisure, as if he was thoroughly aroused. Even as his shoulders shook roughly, Seo Jeong-woon didn’t take his eyes off Do Yi-hyun’s disheveled face.

Do Yi-hyun twitched his lips at the heat he felt so close. He wanted to take Seo Jeong-woon’s penis back into his mouth immediately, but for some reason, he couldn’t move a finger.

“Ah.”

Not long after, Seo Jeong-woon bent over with a short moan. Sticky semen spurted onto his palm. Though he quickly changed direction, a few drops splattered onto Do Yi-hyun’s chin.

Seo Jeong-woon lightly bit his lip, his long eyelashes fluttering. The corners of his eyes were tinged red, and his elegant eyebrows were slightly distorted. His transparent eyes remained fixed on Do Yi-hyun.

Until now, Do Yi-hyun had been too swept up in pleasure during sex to properly see Seo Jeong-woon reach climax. And now, the raw sight before him was intensely erotic and strangely satisfying. Seo Jeong-woon let out a long sigh and wiped his hand.

“I only meant to scare you a little, but our Darling is stubborn, I’ll give him that.”

Seo Jeong-woon pouted and pushed his thumb into Do Yi-hyun’s mouth, pressing down on his tongue. Though he acted nonchalant, his gaze as he looked into Do Yi-hyun’s mouth was peculiarly persistent. Of course, Do Yi-hyun couldn’t look away from Seo Jeong-woon either.

Seo Jeong-woon lightly kissed Do Yi-hyun’s cheek, then swiftly lifted and sat him on his thigh. In an instant, he unbuckled Do Yi-hyun’s pants and slipped a hand inside.

“Wait…!”

“Haha, did you get excited while sucking me off? It’s all wet.”

Do Yi-hyun hurriedly grabbed Seo Jeong-woon’s forearm, but before he could resist, his thoroughly soaked lower half was exposed.

“What were you thinking? Naughty.”

Seo Jeong-woon gently kneaded Do Yi-hyun’s buttocks. Whether teasing or not, he deliberately licked Do Yi-hyun’s ear and spoke in a low, suggestive tone.

“…It’s because of the pheromones.”

Do Yi-hyun replied bluntly.

“When will you be honest with me, Darling?”

Seo Jeong-woon laughed playfully and pushed a finger into the twitching entrance. From frequent and prolonged intimacy, Do Yi-hyun’s entrance was now always soft and ready.

“Hgh, ah…”

Do Yi-hyun twitched his thighs and leaned his head back. Each time his waist moved, Seo Jeong-woon pressed firmly against sensitive spots with his fingertips. While gradually widening the entrance, Seo Jeong-woon skillfully removed Do Yi-hyun’s top.

He looked over the remaining marks on Do Yi-hyun’s upper body with a pleased expression.

“Pretty.”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled sweetly, but Do Yi-hyun frowned instead. He didn’t like how Seo Jeong-woon quickly regained his composure. If this continued, he’d be swept up in Seo Jeong-woon’s pace again.

Do Yi-hyun cupped Seo Jeong-woon’s cheek. Seo Jeong-woon willingly offered his cheek, closing his eyes and smiling. It looked as if Do Yi-hyun held Seo Jeong-woon’s leash.

But Do Yi-hyun knew well. Seo Jeong-woon was capricious. He would never stay obediently in anyone’s grasp.

It felt unfair to be the only one swayed. He wanted to shake Seo Jeong-woon too.

‘When was he most disheveled?’

Do Yi-hyun briefly recalled. Suddenly, he remembered how Seo Jeong-woon had been flustered and at a loss when he released his pheromones. At the time, he hadn’t felt anything particular, but now, just thinking of Seo Jeong-woon’s distorted face made his chest tingle.

He wanted to see that sight again with his own eyes. Do Yi-hyun slowly tilted his head to the side, exposing his straight neckline.

Below the collarbone were scattered reddish marks, but his neck was pure white.

“Hmm?”

Seo Jeong-woon looked up at Do Yi-hyun, slightly dazed. Do Yi-hyun pressed his lips together tightly. Though he didn’t know how to control his pheromones, he knew when they burst forth.

“…You can bite my neck.”

The moment Do Yi-hyun’s half-permission was given, Seo Jeong-woon, who had been leisurely caressing him, suddenly flipped him over.

“Ugh!”

The sofa was soft, so the impact wasn’t severe, but the sudden shift in perspective made him dizzy. Though he’d said to bite, Seo Jeong-woon stuck out his tongue and licked the protruding Adam’s apple.

“Why are you like this today? Not that I mind.”

Seo Jeong-woon’s muttering tone was impatient. Do Yi-hyun, who had intended to rush Seo Jeong-woon, took a deep breath. The corner of his mouth relaxed slightly.

Seo Jeong-woon very slowly and carefully sank his teeth into Do Yi-hyun’s neck. It was a position that would only be barely covered by a high-necked shirt reaching up to the ears.

“Ah, ugh…”

Do Yi-hyun gritted his teeth. Though he’d been bitten in many places, his neck had been off-limits, so the stimulation felt particularly novel. Sharp teeth dug strongly into the tender flesh.

“Hgh, ugh.”

Do Yi-hyun tore at the bedsheet, exhaling suppressed breaths. It felt like being prey to a beast. He wavered somewhere between discomfort and arousal.

His body grew so hot that everything touching his skin felt like pleasure. Each time Do Yi-hyun twitched, Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones wavered unstably. Do Yi-hyun grabbed Seo Jeong-woon’s shoulders.

Part of him wanted to push him away, but unconsciously, he pulled him closer. The warm body heat against his chest felt good.

“Lee Hyun…”

Seo Jeong-woon rubbed his lips against Do Yi-hyun’s neck and whispered lowly. At the sweet voice that seemed to melt his ears, Do Yi-hyun tightened his arms around him. Seo Jeong-woon stroked Do Yi-hyun’s ear in response.

At that moment, Do Yi-hyun’s pheromones faintly seeped out.

“Ah…”

At the sweet fig scent, Seo Jeong-woon’s eyes lost focus. But the briefly released pheromones quickly dissipated.

“No. Just a little more, Lee Hyun, please?”

Seo Jeong-woon pleaded urgently, rubbing his forehead against Do Yi-hyun’s nape. The hand stroking Do Yi-hyun’s waist trembled.

“I told you I don’t know how to control it.”

“Please, Lee Hyun.”

Do Yi-hyun shook his head, but Seo Jeong-woon clung to him as if begging. Seo Jeong-woon seemed not even to know what he was saying.

‘Is this also because of pheromones?’

Do Yi-hyun slowly blinked. Though his own mind grew hazy whenever he caught Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones, this reaction seemed to go beyond that.

“Lee Hyun, Lee Hyun.”

Seo Jeong-woon had lost his rationality, just as Do Yi-hyun wanted. He rubbed his nose against the nape where faint pheromones remained, repeatedly calling Do Yi-hyun’s name. Do Yi-hyun felt supremely satisfied with Seo Jeong-woon’s desperate response.

Do Yi-hyun grabbed Seo Jeong-woon’s head and lifted it.

“Mmm.”

Seo Jeong-woon, with a dazed expression as if intoxicated, rubbed his cheek against Do Yi-hyun’s palm. Finally, he had stripped Seo Jeong-woon of his composure. Do Yi-hyun was intoxicated by a strange sense of superiority.

At the same time, he grew curious.

‘Did he show this side to other people’s pheromones too?’

Whatever relationships Seo Jeong-woon had with others had nothing to do with him. Yet, for some reason, it didn’t sit well with him.

“Focus on me. Only look at me.”

Seo Jeong-woon pecked the corner of Do Yi-hyun’s mouth. He seemed to have cleverly noticed Do Yi-hyun’s wandering thoughts. At that moment, the fully erect penis pushed into Do Yi-hyun’s moist inner walls, spreading them apart.

“Hgh!”

Do Yi-hyun trembled and arched his back. No matter how well-prepared, each insertion felt overwhelming. But this time, it wasn’t just a burning sensation.

With a sharp heat, pale semen spurted from Do Yi-hyun’s penis. Exposed to Seo Jeong-woon’s potent pheromones while being stimulated both above and below was unbearable. The transparent liquid soaked Seo Jeong-woon’s abdomen and trickled down Do Yi-hyun’s defined abs to the floor.

“Ah, ah, ugh…”

Do Yi-hyun clumsily reached down with his unsteady hand to check. The intense arousal made his lower body feel like it was melting. But his fingers touched a solid shaft.

Surprisingly, Seo Jeong-woon hadn’t inserted even an inch.

‘No way.’

Do Yi-hyun twitched his fingers and exhaled a hot breath.

“You came as soon as I put it in? How lewd.”

Seo Jeong-woon caressed Do Yi-hyun’s pelvis and slowly moved his hips. He moved so slowly that Do Yi-hyun could feel every curve of the penis through his fluttering inner walls. All the while, he persistently licked Do Yi-hyun’s neck.

He seemed determined not to give up until he fully savored Do Yi-hyun’s pheromones. Thrust. Thrust.

Each time Seo Jeong-woon moved his hips, the slick, semen-coated penis slid in and out between Do Yi-hyun’s fingers. Do Yi-hyun bit his lower lip at the unfamiliar sensation but couldn’t bring himself to pull his hand away. Seo Jeong-woon deliberately shifted angles, rubbing his penis against Do Yi-hyun’s fingers.

He gently scraped his front teeth along the straight neckline and then roughly squeezed Do Yi-hyun’s chest. The pert breasts were kneaded this way and that under Seo Jeong-woon’s hands, leaving marks everywhere. Each time Seo Jeong-woon mercilessly pressed his thumb against the swollen nipples, Do Yi-hyun let out low moans and twisted his waist.

“Ugh. It hurts.”

Do Yi-hyun, breathing heavily, jerked his head and dug his nails into Seo Jeong-woon’s shoulders. A fierce pain rose from his neck. Seo Jeong-woon’s biting was already making his neck sting.

A slightly displeased expression flashed across Seo Jeong-woon’s face. He propped himself up slightly, grabbed one of Do Yi-hyun’s thighs to spread it, and met his eyes. Since he never stopped moving his hips, each time their lower bodies collided, wet slapping sounds echoed.

“Ah, ugh, ah…!”

Unable to bear the tingling arousal, Do Yi-hyun tightly clenched his insides. It was agonizing because the pleasure didn’t surge and fade but steadily grew.

“Can you feel my pheromones?”

Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones enveloped Do Yi-hyun completely. The fragrant, undulating pheromones revealed sexual intent more blatantly than ever. They moved solely to excite the Omega, to the point where one might suspect a rut.

The pheromones clung stickily to his skin, exuding the Alpha’s characteristic possessiveness. Without time to process the situation, Do Yi-hyun felt instinctive satisfaction. His mind grew too dazed for rational thought.

“Hmm?”

Seo Jeong-woon grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s penis and urged.

“Hgh, ah, ugh.”

Do Yi-hyun only moved his hips seeking arousal, nodding repeatedly. Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones emitted an intense presence. The sticky yet smooth scent traveled down Do Yi-hyun’s ears, tickling his nape, swirled around his chest and solar plexus, swept over his convulsing abdomen, and wrapped around his pleasure-consumed lower body.

“Try moving along with me.”

Seo Jeong-woon traced Do Yi-hyun’s sternum with his index finger and whispered suggestively. In contrast to his affectionate voice, a sinister glint flashed in his clear eyes.

“Ah, ugh, ah.”

Intoxicated with pleasure, Do Yi-hyun half-closed his eyes and curled his toes. Through his wavering vision, he glimpsed Seo Jeong-woon’s excited face. He tried to follow Seo Jeong-woon’s words, but it wasn’t easy.

Do Yi-hyun recalled the sensation of his pheromones bursting forth unintentionally. It seemed to work, as the fig-scented pheromones slowly seeped out. Still, it was only a faint trace.

“Ahh.”

Seo Jeong-woon let out a sigh of pity and buried his nose in Do Yi-hyun’s nape. Each time Yi-hyun’s pheromones intermittently flowed out, Jeong-woon’s thrusts grew stronger in response.

“Hng!”

Thump! Jeong-woon finally inserted himself to the hilt. The thick veins on his forearm, braced beside Yi-hyun’s head, bulged.

“Tell me if it hurts.”

Jeong-woon whispered, brushing the disheveled hair back from Yi-hyun’s forehead. Yet, without withdrawing his deeply embedded member, he pressed down firmly.

“Ah, hng, ugh, ahh!”

Following the intense pressure, Yi-hyun’s hips lifted into the air, his waist arching. The firm glans passed through the deep inner walls and reached the end. Each time Jeong-woon lowered his hips, the tightly closed entrance quivered as if about to open.

The swollen inner walls chewed on the member, sucking it inward.

“Tsk.”

Clenching his teeth, Jeong-woon gripped Yi-hyun’s nape. The faint, intermittent flow of pheromones was excessively stimulating. It was clear he would completely lose his self-control if this continued.

“Haa…….”

Jeong-woon rubbed his forehead against Yi-hyun’s chest as if acting spoiled. Yi-hyun lowered his gaze, breathing heavily. When he had bowed his head, his expression had been one of anxious impatience, but when he revealed his face again, Jeong-woon was smiling softly.

“Cover me with your pheromones too.”

Jeong-woon nuzzled his nose against Yi-hyun’s cheek. As Yi-hyun furrowed his brow, Jeong-woon fluttered his long eyelashes, pretending to be cute. Yi-hyun lifted his trembling arm, rendered unsteady by the aftershocks of pleasure, and stroked down Jeong-woon’s neck.

The blood vessels stood out starkly against Jeong-woon’s translucent skin, and the corners of his mouth were twisted askew. Though pretending to be composed, it seemed even forcing a smile while holding back his excitement was overwhelming. Yi-hyun traced the petal-reddened corners of Jeong-woon’s eyes.

“Hoo.”

Jeong-woon exhaled a long breath and bit his lower lip. It was torture in many ways, with Yi-hyun, who only clung to his neck when being driven mindlessly, now constantly caressing him here and there.

“You’re doing this on purpose, knowing full well.”

Jeong-woon muttered resentfully and kissed Yi-hyun. Yi-hyun sucked on Jeong-woon’s tongue without understanding the meaning. While tracing the distinct features of his face, Yi-hyun’s pheromones accidentally smeared slightly on Jeong-woon’s cheek.

It was so faint that only someone with the trait could detect it by pressing their face right up to it. Yet, both of them stopped their actions simultaneously, as if by unspoken agreement.

“Haha.”

Jeong-woon laughed brightly, cupping his own cheek as if it were precious.

‘My Alpha…….’

Yi-hyun silently moved his lips. The possessiveness he had barely suppressed began to sprout again. He thought he understood why pheromone showers were done, and why it was an act reserved for married couples.

Leaving one’s pheromones on another person felt quite embarrassing and strange. ……If he left stronger pheromones, others would know Jeong-woon was his without even getting close. The focus in Yi-hyun’s eyes blurred.

His nape, marked with neat bite marks, burned, and his chest ached. Thump, thump. With each beat of his heart, Yi-hyun’s pheromones began to thicken slightly.

The pheromones shimmering around Yi-hyun slowly transferred to Jeong-woon through their touching skin. Jeong-woon, who reacted sensitively even to pheromones faint enough to scatter with a wave, couldn’t possibly miss that sticky obsession. Clenching his teeth, Jeong-woon lifted his hips even more forcefully.

The menacingly erect member mercilessly parted the reddened buttocks and plunged in.

“Ahh, ugh!”

With a force strong enough to make his back shudder, Yi-hyun’s body gradually rose upward. As if thinking Yi-hyun was trying to escape, Jeong-woon pressed down hard on his shoulders. The glans repeatedly gouged the protruding flesh inside the inner walls.

Yi-hyun scratched down Jeong-woon’s back, struggling to hold back his climax. But ironically, the more he clung to him, the more powerful pheromones ensnared Yi-hyun.

“Haaaugh…….”

Yi-hyun’s lower abdomen was soaked again with clear fluid.

“Wait, just, now, I’m coming, hngaa!”

Before he could shake off the aftershocks of his climax, Jeong-woon’s firm glans forced its way through the tightly clenched inner walls. Even as he pleaded desperately, Jeong-woon never stopped. All Yi-hyun could do was tremble violently in sync with the fierce movements.

“Ah, aah, ah…….”

Yi-hyun dazedly let out suppressed moans.

“Can I knot?”

Jeong-woon lifted Yi-hyun’s chin with his index finger and pressed urgent kisses to his quivering lips.

“…….”

Yi-hyun’s lips parted, but he couldn’t utter any sound except ragged breaths. Yi-hyun’s mind, having completely lost reason, was filled with thoughts of how to gain even greater pleasure. Just imagining the knot swelling outside was dizzying; how good would it feel if it swelled inside?

Even vaguely imagining it sent shivers down his spine. Instinctively, Yi-hyun wrapped his legs around Jeong-woon’s waist. At the silent permission, Jeong-woon gritted his teeth, grabbed the fleshless buttocks, and spread them apart.

Then, putting his weight into it, he pressed his lower body flush without a gap. Without a moment to catch his breath, Jeong-woon’s base began to swell.

“Ugh…….”

A near-painful pleasure arose as the entrance stretched taut. As Yi-hyun whimpered helplessly, Jeong-woon kissed him deeply while gripping the member dripping with thin semen. Yi-hyun’s member swayed and crumpled weakly following his gestures.

“Ahh, ugh!”

“Your belly is bulging, Darling.”

Jeong-woon smiled slyly and stroked Yi-hyun’s lower abdomen. As he said, Yi-hyun’s lower abdomen was noticeably swollen. Jeong-woon caressed the protruding area in circles before pressing down firmly with his palm.

“St, stop, ah……!”

It was a very weak force, but being stimulated inside and out left him with no means to resist. Now, Jeong-woon’s member spurted out a watery, transparent fluid.

“Ahh, uung…….”

Yi-hyun writhed, overwhelmed by pleasure. Moreover, Jeong-woon’s pheromones had grown even more potent since the knotting began. From head to toe, he felt thoroughly soaked in Jeong-woon’s pheromones.

“You’ll get hurt if you struggle.”

Jeong-woon whispered, nibbling on Yi-hyun’s wrist.

“This is only the first time; what if you get tired already? You have to take responsibility for provoking me.”

Jeong-woon pressed his forehead against Yi-hyun’s and smiled brilliantly. Now it was clear his pupils were clouded, intoxicated by excessive lust. Yi-hyun closed his eyes and hugged Jeong-woon.

***

The sex that started on Sunday night continued throughout the Lunar New Year holiday.

“Is Do-dam okay?”

“Ha, ugh, uung.”

Even as he obscenely thrust between his legs, Jeong-woon occasionally worried about the child’s condition. Each time, Yi-hyun nodded with unfocused eyes, cradling his belly. Despite the intense sex, his belly didn’t hurt.

On the contrary, perhaps because he had absorbed so many pheromones, his condition was very good.

“Our Do-dam must be strong, taking after me.”

Jeong-woon grinned and kissed Yi-hyun’s intermittently trembling lower abdomen. Even amidst the nonstop sex, Jeong-woon diligently prepared meals.

“Pull out a li, tle, ugh!”

The problem was that he didn’t even think about withdrawing from inside Yi-hyun at the dining table. Yi-hyun trembled, bracing himself against the table while sitting on Jeong-woon’s thighs.

“I’ll be quiet.”

Jeong-woon nibbled on Yi-hyun’s nape and grabbed his reddened, ripe chest. Now, no matter where he touched, the fig-scented pheromones seeped out profusely. Now Yi-hyun was drenched in Jeong-woon’s pheromones, and Jeong-woon was smeared with Yi-hyun’s pheromones.

‘I don’t know how to stop.’

Yi-hyun clenched his fists but unconsciously rocked his hips. Even as he repeated to himself that he should stop moving, he couldn’t suppress his instincts.

“Haha, is it hard to hold back?”

Jeong-woon held Yi-hyun’s pelvis and rotated it in circles, smiling amiably.

“Darling, lift your legs.”

Even though more than two days had passed, Jeong-woon continued to call Yi-hyun ‘Darling.’ But Yi-hyun had no mental capacity to object. He simply moved as Jeong-woon desired.

***

When he woke up from a deep sleep, Yi-hyun was nestled in Jeong-woon’s embrace, using his arm as a pillow. Their legs were tangled together, making it difficult to move easily.

‘Just how long did I sleep?’

Yi-hyun blinked his heavy eyelids. The late afternoon yellow sunlight streamed through the wide window gap. The small bedroom was filled with their pheromones.

Yi-hyun was still leaking pheromones like a broken faucet.

‘It’s not like I’m an animal.’

Each time fragmented memories of the past few days surfaced, a creeping sense of self-reproach arose. No matter how entranced he was by the Alpha’s pheromones, having sex day and night was clearly insane.

But still, every time he caught Jeong-woon’s body scent and pheromones, his waist trembled finely.

“Ah…….”

Yi-hyun frowned after testing his voice. From moaning too much, his throat was completely hoarse. And that wasn’t all.

His rear stung, of course, and his entire body ached, starting from his waist.

‘……It still feels spread open.’

Yi-hyun furrowed his brow and twisted his waist. But something felt strange. Each time he moved, he felt something slowly sliding in and out of his rear.

‘No way.’

With a stiffened expression, Yi-hyun slowly reached his hand back. He hoped it was a misconception, but Jeong-woon’s member was truly inside him. Even half-erect, it still boasted a heavy presence.

‘This is absurd.’

It was something he wouldn’t do if he were in his right mind. Gritting his teeth, Yi-hyun tried to pull out Jeong-woon’s member.

“Hng.”

But because Jeong-woon was holding him tightly, moving was difficult. To make matters worse, as if interpreting the squirming as stimulation, Jeong-woon’s member gradually grew larger.

“What are you doing as soon as you wake up? Still not enough?”

Jeong-woon pulled Yi-hyun’s waist into an embrace and planted kisses on his back. His voice, heavy with sleepiness, was languid.

“Ahh…….”

The member he had barely pulled out plunged back in, filling the inner walls. The hardened glans happened to press against the spot Yi-hyun was sensitive to.

“Move away.”

Yi-hyun pushed Jeong-woon away as coldly as possible.

“Isn’t it too cruel to push me away while dripping such lewd pheromones?”

But undeterred, Jeong-woon rubbed his cheek against Yi-hyun’s nape.

“You must be tired, sleep more, Darling. I’ll wake you up a little later.”

Jeong-woon whispered affectionately in his ear as if they were truly lovers. Simultaneously, fragrant pheromones enveloped Yi-hyun warmly. Yi-hyun tried to ignore the tingling sensation ringing in his waist.

“Can’t you stop saying that?”

Yi-hyun coldly straightened his expression and removed Jeong-woon’s hand, which was gently stroking his lower abdomen. It was an impatient and prickly touch, unlike Yi-hyun.

“What should I do? It’s already ingrained in my mouth.”

But Jeong-woon smiled shamelessly and interlaced his fingers with Yi-hyun’s. Soft lips lightly landed on Yi-hyun’s shoulder. Jeong-woon acted sweeter than ever before.

“Haha.”

As if unable to hold back any longer, Jeong-woon let out a bright laugh. The pleasant voice made his ears itch.

‘No way.’

Yi-hyun was greatly flustered by Jeong-woon’s drastically changed demeanor. All they had done was mingle their bodies following instinct. Yi-hyun hoped his relationship with Jeong-woon wouldn’t change.

“This makes me uncomfortable.”

Yi-hyun furrowed his brow and shook his wrist. But he couldn’t shake off Jeong-woon, who clung tenaciously like a leech.

“Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? We do this all the time normally.”

As Yi-hyun kept trying to escape his embrace, perhaps annoyed, Jeong-woon bit his shoulder hard. From the stinging pain, Yi-hyun scrunched one eyebrow. It was true.

Kissing, holding hands, having sex, hugging. Nothing particularly special. But Jeong-woon’s attitude was subtly different.

It felt as if he were about to confess any moment. Yi-hyun was aware that Jeong-woon held some affection for him, but he had never revealed it to the extent that the goodwill was felt so plainly. He was anxious that this ambiguous yet stable relationship might become twisted.

Perhaps because of that, his heart kept beating rapidly.

“I have no intention of dating you, Vice President.”

Before Jeong-woon could say something irreparable, Yi-hyun hurriedly drove in the nail.

“……When did I say I wanted to date?”

Jeong-woon asked back slowly in a calmer tone. At the same time, he tightly wrapped his limbs around Yi-hyun.

“Hng……!”

Whether intentional or not, as Jeong-woon slightly lowered his hips, the hardened member swept through Yi-hyun’s plumply swollen inner walls.

“You seem very unsatisfied, want to go again?”

Jeong-woon began moving his hips nonchalantly. Swish, swish. With their lower bodies pressed together, the member moved up and down in short strokes.

From mingling their bodies nonstop for days, Yi-hyun’s rear quickly grew damp even from minor stimulation.

“Enou, ugh, I don’t nee, d it.”

Yi-hyun buried his head and stretched his arm back, trying to push Jeong-woon’s stomach away. His exposed nape was bright red. Moreover, each time Jeong-woon touched his body, the fig-scented pheromones spread richly and clung to Jeong-woon.

Yi-hyun hurriedly tried to dispel the pheromones, but no matter what he did, they wouldn’t listen.

“You know saying things like that in that state isn’t convincing, right?”

Jeong-woon turned his body and climbed on top of Yi-hyun. He didn’t forget to slide his hand between the prone Yi-hyun and the bed to support his belly so it wouldn’t be pressed.

“Really want to stop?”

Jeong-woon pushed his member firmly between the buttocks marked with handprints. The mucous membrane wriggled in welcome, and from the sticky stimulation, Jeong-woon’s member began to gradually enlarge.

“Ah…….”

Yi-hyun grabbed the sheets and exhaled a trembling breath. He could vividly feel the entrance gradually stretching open. Whether intentionally restraining himself or not, Jeong-woon didn’t release his pheromones.

Because of that, while his body melted in pleasure, his mind remained clear, making it even more agonizing.

“Sto, op, ah……!”

Each time Yi-hyun tried to utter a negative word, Jeong-woon twisted his hips to repeatedly poke the spot he was sensitive to before stopping. The plea for more rose to the tip of his tongue. With his back flushed red, Yi-hyun desperately held back his desire to climax.

But voluntarily pulling away from Jeong-woon’s lower body was impossible.

“……It’s difficult.”

Finally, Yi-hyun grabbed Jeong-woon’s hand, which was wrapped around his lower abdomen, and pleaded as if begging. If he succumbed to pleasure in this state, it felt like he would cross an irreversible river.

“Vice President……”

“Jeong-woon.”

When he tried to call him ‘Vice President’ in his daze, Jeong-woon sharply corrected him.

“……Jeong-woon.”

Calling Jeong-woon softly, Yi-hyun unconsciously rubbed his forehead against the back of Jeong-woon’s hand braced on the bed. Even trying to stay still, his waist kept twitching and jumping, driving him crazy.

“Darling.”

As Yi-hyun obediently complied with the request, Jeong-woon pushed further.

“…….”

Yi-hyun bit his lower lip tightly. Even if he didn’t know the name, he couldn’t bring himself to utter the term ‘Darling.’

As if his throat were blocked, no sound came out. Swoosh. Unable to do this or that, he only gasped for breath when the member that had been filling him completely slipped out.

“Hng…….”

Yi-hyun arched his back. Having been stretched open for so long, the entrance didn’t close easily. Instead, it gaped open as if feeling empty inside.

“Hmm. It’s definitely swollen. Shouldn’t push it further. Since Hyun doesn’t want to either.”

Jeong-woon shook his head but thrust his long finger deep inside, roughly stirring Yi-hyun’s insides. The bright red mucous membrane stuck tightly to Jeong-woon’s finger.

“Ugh, hng.”

Yi-hyun buried his face in the pillow, struggling to suppress his moans. He didn’t want to show signs of excitement, but it was rather futile as his heated pheromones lingered stickily around Jeong-woon. Yi-hyun’s pheromones were as sticky and persistent as Jeong-woon’s.

The Omega’s instincts kept seeking the Alpha.

“I wish you’d be a bit more stubborn.”

Seo Jeong-woon muttered something incomprehensible and planted a kiss on Do Yi-hyun’s nape. Do Yi-hyun tightly shut his eyes. He was curious about what expression he was making, but he didn’t want to know.

“No choice. Rest a bit more. You have to go to work tomorrow.”

Seo Jeong-woon, who had been stretching Do Yi-hyun’s hole this way and that, reluctantly withdrew his hand with a very regretful look. Seo Jeong-woon quickly lay down and pulled Do Yi-hyun into an embrace from behind, just like before. Then he pushed his thick member between the trembling thighs.

“Kgh.”

Do Yi-hyun shuddered briefly. The unsubsided arousal surged wildly from the sensitive area brushed by the searing heat.

“Stop clenching and stay still.”

Seo Jeong-woon scolded in a harsh whisper, slapping Do Yi-hyun’s thigh not too hard. But the tingling sensation only made the thigh muscles clench even tighter.

“Hng.”

Seo Jeong-woon snorted and rubbed his lips against Do Yi-hyun’s back. Amidst the tussle, the ticklish atmosphere completely vanished. Seo Jeong-woon also didn’t seem much different from usual.

It seemed Seo Jeong-woon still had absolutely no desire to be in a relationship with him.

‘That’s a relief.’

Do Yi-hyun inwardly sighed with relief. The tension gradually eased. Then the heavy presence felt between his thighs and the body temperature tightly enveloping his back began to bother him.

Do Yi-hyun twitched his fingers. Seeing his body was clean, it seemed Seo Jeong-woon had washed him while he was passed out asleep. Just how much had they done for his heated body to not know how to cool down?

“…Let’s do it moderately next time.”

“Okay. Got it, Darling.”

When Do Yi-hyun made the awkward suggestion, Seo Jeong-woon burst into a light, puffing laugh.

“Again…?”

Do Yi-hyun almost protested the repeated term but closed his mouth. Seeing him laugh happily, Seo Jeong-woon might just be teasing because he found his reaction amusing. Overreacting wouldn’t do any good.

It’s not like calling him that a few times would make him really become his ‘Darling’ anyway.

‘…Annoying.’

Above all, he was tired and didn’t want to think complicated thoughts. It was an unfamiliar feeling, as he rarely got this physically drained. His throat hurt and felt scratchy every time he spoke.

Do Yi-hyun gave a small, dry cough and blankly stared at the crumpled white sheets. When Do Yi-hyun showed signs of discomfort, Seo Jeong-woon wrapped his large hand around Do Yi-hyun’s neck.

“Want some warm water?”

He whispered softly, gently stroking the straight neck. He didn’t particularly want Seo Jeong-woon’s help, but hearing it, his throat did feel dry. When Do Yi-hyun gave a sullen nod, Seo Jeong-woon quickly got up.

‘…Cold.’

Left alone, Do Yi-hyun curled up into a ball. Even though the air was warm and Seo Jeong-woon had neatly tucked in the disheveled blanket before leaving, it felt strangely empty and chilly.

“Drink.”

Seo Jeong-woon, who returned quickly, propped a soft pillow behind Do Yi-hyun’s back. Do Yi-hyun leaned against the headboard and sipped the warm water. A fresh lemon scent rose from the steaming cup.

Seo Jeong-woon sat on the edge of the bed, quietly watching Do Yi-hyun. He was now wearing a black robe, but since the front was completely open, it was no different from being naked. His still-aroused member twitched against his massive body.

With something that shouldn’t be seen right in front of him, his gaze kept drifting there. Do Yi-hyun forced himself to turn his head the other way. If he kept looking, he might unknowingly grab it.

“…Aren’t you lying down?”

Do Yi-hyun mumbled while holding the warm cup. At least his voice, which had been terribly hoarse, improved a bit after drinking some water.

“I have to put it away after you finish. Why? Do you want me next to you?”

Seo Jeong-woon, who had been tilting his head, suddenly brightened his eyes and leaned his face in. A playful glint dripped from his bright smile.

“It’s cold.”

Do Yi-hyun said as indifferently and calmly as possible. It was natural to feel chilly after the persistent body warmth disappeared.

“…Ha. Lee Hyun-ssi, I really don’t understand you sometimes.”

Seo Jeong-woon shook his head and wiped his face. But he still sneakily snuggled into the spot next to Do Yi-hyun. ‘Don’t understand sometimes’?

That was my line. Do Yi-hyun placed the half-finished cup on the table and lay down again.

“Come here.”

Seo Jeong-woon clumsily offered his arm as a pillow. The two lay facing each other for a moment without speaking. Do Yi-hyun averted his gaze first.

As his eyes drifted down, he saw a long, blunt nail mark on Seo Jeong-woon’s shoulder.

“……”

Do Yi-hyun reflexively touched his own nails. The tips weren’t sharp, but since he had scratched with all his might, it must have been quite painful.

‘Should I apologize?’

He was a bit conflicted. When he paid attention to the injured shoulder, Seo Jeong-woon smiled happily, and besides, his own chest was in a worse state. Do Yi-hyun’s upper body was covered with all sorts of marks, enough to suspect Seo Jeong-woon had sadistic tendencies.

He hadn’t checked, but his neck was surely the same. He’d probably have to wear a turtleneck instead of a shirt tomorrow. It was awkward, but since he brought it upon himself, there was no helping it.

He must have been truly possessed by something these past few days.

“Lee Hyun-ssi, aren’t you curious about me?”

Seo Jeong-woon, who had been fiddling with Do Yi-hyun’s hair, threw out a sudden question. Do Yi-hyun lifted his head. Unlike Do Yi-hyun, who was drowsy with sleepiness, he saw clearly gleaming grayish-brown eyes.

‘Pretty.’

Do Yi-hyun blinked. Even when briefly obscured by darkness, he could picture Seo Jeong-woon’s face quite well. He thought he could now pick out Seo Jeong-woon among a crowd.

It wasn’t a bad feeling at all.

“I have so many things I want to ask you, Lee Hyun-ssi.”

Seo Jeong-woon whispered softly as if revealing a top secret.

“What are you curious about?”

Do Yi-hyun asked indifferently. Knowing Seo Jeong-woon’s personality, he would find out by any means necessary, so it was better, though awkward, to ask openly.

“You seem to have a special relationship with your mother, Lee Hyun-ssi.”

Seo Jeong-woon tucked Do Yi-hyun’s short hair behind his ear, smiling with his eyes crinkled.

“What do you mean by that?”

At the mention of his mother, Do Yi-hyun frowned. Was he trying to dig up complicated family matters now?

“You were very careful in front of your mother. But you didn’t seem awkward or uncomfortable. I thought she must be someone precious to you.”

But this time too, Seo Jeong-woon didn’t dig deep into what Do Yi-hyun avoided.

“Isn’t that natural?”

She was no longer his only family, but she was still his only family. Do Yi-hyun stiffened his expression slightly before relaxing and fiddling with his lower abdomen. Soon, there would be someone he could truly call his own family.

That alone was a great comfort.

“Is our baby that precious too?”

Seo Jeong-woon placed his hand over Do Yi-hyun’s with an unreadable expression. His eyes scrutinizing Do Yi-hyun were persistent. For some reason, Do Yi-hyun felt like drawing a line, wanting to say ‘my’ baby, not ‘our’ baby.

“Jeong-woon-ssi, isn’t family precious to you?”

But since that would surely lead to trouble, he asked the reverse instead.

“Hmm. I like them, but they’re bothersome.”

Seo Jeong-woon shrugged his shoulders. He knew many people were like that, but as Do Yi-hyun, it was an unimaginable answer.

“Why are they precious?”

Seo Jeong-woon fluttered his long eyelashes and cupped Do Yi-hyun’s cheek.

‘…Why?’

This question was the one Do Yi-hyun couldn’t answer indifferently. Seo Jeong-woon was the first to ask why family was precious. His mother wasn’t the delicate type to fuss over him meticulously, and Joo Na-hye only worried that Do Yi-hyun focused solely on family.

“That’s…”

As Do Yi-hyun hesitated, the brightly smiling face of his father suddenly came to mind. Do Yi-hyun was born calm. To such a Do Yi-hyun, his father’s sudden absence was the first anxiety he had ever felt.

It was as if half the world had suddenly vanished, and the overwhelming anxiety was so immense he couldn’t grasp it. Do Yi-hyun, both now and as a child, had no knack for relationships. Perhaps he could only endure by believing his mother was his entire world.

Of course, there wouldn’t be such major upheavals anymore, but given his confusion upon hearing about his mother’s remarriage, the huge shock he received back then might still be subconsciously imprinted like a brand.

“Because they’re my everything.”

Do Yi-hyun said in a voice barely audible. There was no need to tell Seo Jeong-woon the truth, but for some reason, he wanted to confess. Perhaps he wanted to warn him.

People often acted as if they couldn’t live without someone, then turned away in an instant. Seo Jeong-woon was the same. He might act now as if he’d give anything, but it wouldn’t be strange if he turned his back anytime.

He couldn’t be fully trusted. Do Yi-hyun wanted a stable daily life. So he hoped Seo Jeong-woon wouldn’t interfere further in his life.

“…Your everything?”

Grind. The sound of Seo Jeong-woon gritting his teeth was heard. The hand stroking Do Yi-hyun’s stomach faintly tightened.

“I’m so jealous I could go crazy.”

When Do Yi-hyun looked up puzzled, Seo Jeong-woon quickly changed his expression and grinned playfully.

“It has nothing to do with Jeong-woon-ssi.”

Do Yi-hyun rested his forehead against Seo Jeong-woon’s chest and closed his eyes. He might have heard a faint sigh, but it was buried by the drowsiness that washed over him in an instant.

“I mean it.”

Seo Jeong-woon hugged the soundly sleeping Do Yi-hyun and whispered softly. But the deeply asleep Do Yi-hyun showed no reaction. Seo Jeong-woon gently closed his eyes and pressed a lingering kiss against the tightly closed lips.