By Zephyria “……Darling, isn’t this a bit much?”
Seo Jeong-woon grumbled while tapping the hat pulled low over his head. Starting from the hat, sunglasses, mask, turtleneck, gloves—Seo Jeong-woon was bundled up tightly all over, following Do Yi-hyun’s instructions.
“I look like a criminal or something.”
“Don’t even think about taking it off.”
Seo Jeong-woon subtly tugged at the turtleneck, but Do Yi-hyun bluntly cut off his complaint. They had to go to Seo Jeong-woon’s family home to pick up Jeong-hyun, but since he was covered in tooth marks, they had to cover up as much as possible. Do Yi-hyun’s mouth corners drooped.
Even considering it was heat, it was excessive. Do Yi-hyun could mostly cover up with just a turtleneck, but for Seo Jeong-woon, it was impossible.
‘I went overboard.’
Do Yi-hyun reflected a little inwardly. But he didn’t regret it. Every time he saw the reddish marks left on Seo Jeong-woon’s white skin, satisfaction welled up.
“You’re too much.”
Seo Jeong-woon pulled Do Yi-hyun’s waist into an embrace and rubbed his cheek against his shoulder. While changing clothes, Do Yi-hyun had threatened that if he took off even one item, there would be no kisses for a week. ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,’ as they say.
Though utterly childish, such coercion worked well on Seo Jeong-woon.
“We’ll be late at this rate.”
“I don’t care.”
Even when Do Yi-hyun gently pushed him away, Seo Jeong-woon didn’t budge. Having a nearly 2-meter-tall large doll clinging to him felt strange.
“Only someone who’s lost their mind would bite like that.”
Seo Jeong-woon continued to complain without pause. But he looked noticeably happy. He smiled slyly and stroked his own cheek through the mask.
The spot where the clear tooth marks remained.
“…….”
Do Yi-hyun turned his head sharply to the opposite side, pretending not to hear anything.
“I guess Lee Hyun must be crazy about me.”
Seo Jeong-woon kept beaming. The radiant smile couldn’t be hidden even by multiple layers of heavy gear. He grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s cheeks and gave them a peck.
Do Yi-hyun slightly furrowed his brow. It was quite bothersome to feel the touch of thin, stiff fabric instead of soft lips. But he couldn’t take back what he had said.
“……Think whatever you want.”
Do Yi-hyun indifferently kissed Seo Jeong-woon’s ear and left the house. Even if he denied it, Seo Jeong-woon would keep insisting until he got the answer he wanted. Well, it wasn’t entirely wrong anyway.
Do Yi-hyun clearly remembered the abnormal heat that had enveloped his entire body during the heat. It felt like fragments of it were still embedded deep in his brain. Do Yi-hyun slowly closed and opened his eyes.
No matter what anyone said, Seo Jeong-woon was his. Forever.
“That’s good. I’m crazy about Lee Hyun too. Completely.”
Seo Jeong-woon naturally stuck close to Do Yi-hyun’s side. He playfully tickled his neatly arranged black hair and then intertwined their fingers. Do Yi-hyun held his hand while giving him a sidelong glance.
It was just amazing how he said things like that as naturally as breathing.
***
Right after they set off, they received a message from Seo Jeong-woon’s mother saying Jeong-hyun had just fallen asleep, so they could come slowly. Do Yi-hyun suggested going straight to the main house, but Seo Jeong-woon turned the steering wheel, saying he couldn’t miss the chance for a cozy date for just the two of them.
Do Yi-hyun found himself walking in the park with Seo Jeong-woon.
‘It’s refreshing.’
It felt awkward to stray from the path, but once the cool breeze hit him, his head felt clear. It seemed he had been feeling stifled, knowingly or unknowingly, from staying home for nearly a week.
“Hey, hey, look over there.”
A whispering sound came from afar. Just two tall, handsome men walking together, far above average height, was enough to draw attention, but with one bundled up excessively, it was natural for curiosity to arise.
‘……Not bad.’
Do Yi-hyun frowned his left eyebrow. After all, Seo Jeong-woon attracted attention wherever he went. Maybe this kind of interest, curious or suspicious, was better than the usual kind.
Since it meant fewer people coveting Seo Jeong-woon.
‘Useless thought.’
Do Yi-hyun shook his head to shake off the stray thought. Anyway, Seo Jeong-woon was his Alpha. He didn’t want to resemble Seo Jeong-woon in this aspect too.
“Jeong-hyun’s dad.”
Seo Jeong-woon, who had been following slowly half a step behind, called Do Yi-hyun to a stop. Seo Jeong-woon often came up with new nicknames just when he was getting used to them. It seemed he did it just for fun.
It was also part of his originally capricious nature. Do Yi-hyun turned around nonchalantly. Smack.
But then Seo Jeong-woon suddenly approached and stole a kiss on his lips. Do Yi-hyun blinked in bewilderment. Since Do Yi-hyun didn’t welcome it much, Seo Jeong-woon usually refrained from intense skinship outside.
Especially in front of people. At most, it was light contact like holding hands or wrapping an arm around the waist.
“……What is this.”
Do Yi-hyun stared straight at Seo Jeong-woon. He wondered what he was scheming.
“Just because the sunlight is warm.”
Seo Jeong-woon replied smoothly, shrugging his shoulders. Then he kissed him again with a smacking sound.
“And this is because the sky is clear.”
He attached a nonsensical reason and tilted his head. It seemed like the corners of his mouth were curled up behind the pure white mask.
“Ha.”
Do Yi-hyun let out a hollow laugh. It was a big problem that Seo Jeong-woon looked unnecessarily cute.
***
After passing through the vast garden, an elegant mansion came into view.
Do Yi-hyun glanced around lightly. On the neatly maintained lawn, there were square mats and objects that looked like children’s toys. It seemed they had enjoyed a picnic in the morning.
On the opposite side, play equipment including a slide and swings were fully prepared. It was a playground for Jeong-hyun, who couldn’t even run around yet. The two passed through the large door and entered the living room.
“We’re here, Grandmother.”
Seo Jeong-woon winked at Seo Hui-yeon, who was sitting elegantly on the sofa. Do Yi-hyun bowed in response. Seo Jeong-woon fussed beside him, telling him to be careful, but Do Yi-hyun cleanly ignored him.
Seo Hui-yeon snorted as if amused by the sight of Seo Jeong-woon clinging to Do Yi-hyun.
“Jeong-hyun is sleeping inside. She didn’t even cry and was so pretty. I’ll take care of her anytime.”
Seo Hui-yeon had a benevolent smile on her lips, as if she had greatly enjoyed her time with her great-granddaughter. A faint regret was also visible at having to send Jeong-hyun back now. Indeed, Jeong-hyun didn’t shy away from strangers and played well alone.
Sometimes she was so composed it was worrying. Still, since they had never been apart for days, he had been worried, so it was a relief she was fine. But somehow, he felt a bittersweet emotion.
“Thank you.”
Do Yi-hyun suppressed his inner feelings and politely greeted her. Of course, it probably wasn’t entirely comfortable. Whenever what Seo Jeong-woon called
‘recharging’ came around, Jeong-hyun usually wouldn’t stop crying. Who she took after to be so stubborn, on the day Do Yi-hyun went to the hospital alone, she cried so much her voice became completely hoarse.
Even with Seo Jeong-woon attached, it was no use.
“I’m a bit hurt. I guess Jeong-hyun likes Grandmother the most.”
Seo Jeong-woon also knew the inside story but chattered on pointlessly.
“Jeong-woon, you really…….”
Seo Hui-yeon trailed off as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have. It was clear she wanted to scold him for his ridiculous outfit. Do Yi-hyun lowered his gaze.
The back of his neck felt hot.
“We’ll go see Jeong-hyun.”
Seo Jeong-woon, unconcerned, wrapped his arm around Do Yi-hyun’s shoulder and moved. The child’s room was at the end of the first-floor hallway. It was the quietest and sunniest place in Seo Jeong-woon’s family home.
Do Yi-hyun carefully opened the half-closed door. The pure white canopy crib placed in the middle of the room first caught his eye. In the spacious room, all sorts of dolls and toys were neatly arranged.
Do Yi-hyun was about to approach directly but hesitated. He missed Jeong-hyun and was worried. He wanted to hold her tiny body and pat her right away.
But fear took a step ahead. Would he feel strange when he saw the child? Do Yi-hyun’s prosopagnosia wasn’t at a severe level.
He had heard that while there would be many difficulties, if he practiced steadily, it wouldn’t be impossible to distinguish people. But until he met Seo Jeong-woon, he hadn’t felt the need.
‘I should have practiced more.’
Do Yi-hyun regretted it belatedly. Not being able to recognize a precious person was sadder than he thought. To little Jeong-hyun, he would be half her world.
To Do Yi-hyun, Jeong-hyun was also everything. Because she was family. His hands and feet grew cold from tension.
Do Yi-hyun unconsciously looked back. A man stood there, his face completely covered by sunglasses and a mask, wearing unfamiliar clothes. Even so, Do Yi-hyun could recognize him as Seo Jeong-woon.
“Lee Hyun.”
Seo Jeong-woon smiled with his eyes crinkled and gently pushed Do Yi-hyun’s back. It was a not strong, yet clear gesture. With a force that precisely matched the lacking courage, Do Yi-hyun tightly pressed his lips together.
Seo Jeong-woon had clearly seen right through Do Yi-hyun’s mind again. Do Yi-hyun took a deep breath. He walked carefully and lifted the soft canopy.
Rustle. As the layered lace was lifted, a child wearing a spacesuit with bear ears, sleeping soundly, came into view.
“Haa.”
Do Yi-hyun grabbed the round railing and let out a trembling sigh. His stiff shoulders shook roughly. Not strangeness, but welcome and joy arose.
“……It was too long.”
Do Yi-hyun muttered almost inaudibly. His gaze at Jeong-hyun was full of affection. For over a week, living with Seo Jeong-woon had been extremely joyful and happy.
But only with the child was Do Yi-hyun’s happiness finally complete. He realized this obvious fact anew.
“She looks like Lee Hyun, sleeping so soundly.”
Seo Jeong-woon wrapped his arm around Do Yi-hyun’s waist and looked down at the crib. His gentle smile held a different kind of affection than when directed at Do Yi-hyun.
“Look at this. She’s sleeping while holding a doll that looks like you.”
Seo Jeong-woon chuckled softly and pointed at the child’s embrace. The child was firmly hugging a bear doll with an angry-looking expression.
“……It doesn’t look like me.”
Do Yi-hyun objected again, lowering his head. Seeing that the corners of her eyes were slightly red, it seemed Jeong-hyun had cried herself to sleep.
“Ooh……?”
As if sensing presence, the child lying on her side smacked her lips. Her round eyelids twitched, and her fingers wiggled. It seemed Jeong-hyun was engaged in a fierce battle with overwhelming drowsiness.
“Hello.”
“Jeong-hyun.”
Seo Jeong-woon and Do Yi-hyun spoke to the child almost simultaneously.
“Aba!”
Jeong-hyun suddenly opened her eyes wide. Then she raised both arms high toward the two. Clear pillow marks were visible on her chubby cheeks.
“Did you hear that? She called me dad.”
Seo Jeong-woon jerked his head up. His grayish-brown eyes sparkled brilliantly, and his cheeks flushed red.
“She was talking to me. You said you were the mom.”
Do Yi-hyun corrected the mistaken fact, looking back and forth between them. The two, who looked exactly alike, were showing infinite affection toward Do Yi-hyun. A feeling of something swelling painfully rose in his chest.
“I’m also a dad, right? She called me first. Right, Jeong-hyun?”
Seo Jeong-woon boasted as he picked up the child. When he insisted on being the mom, he was completely self-willed.
“Oooh, Aba, ba…….”
But then Jeong-hyun started to pout her tiny eyes, nose, and mouth and whimper. Even though Seo Jeong-woon held her, she pushed him away stubbornly and squirmed.
“Jeong-hyun, it’s mom, mom. No, dad.”
Flustered, Seo Jeong-woon forgot Do Yi-hyun’s warning and pulled his mask down to his chin. He took off his sunglasses and smiled brightly, gently patting Jeong-hyun’s back.
“Hoo, uh, baa.”
But it was no use. Jeong-hyun’s crying grew louder. She only looked at Do Yi-hyun, then turned her back to Seo Jeong-woon and waved her arms, asking to be held.
“Lee Hyun, I think Do-dam doesn’t recognize me.”
Seo Jeong-woon, seemingly very flustered, called Jeong-hyun by her fetal name. It was a rare sight to see Seo Jeong-woon, who handled Jeong-hyun more skillfully than Do Yi-hyun, breaking into a cold sweat. Both Seo Jeong-woon and Jeong-hyun had sorrow clinging to the corners of their eyes.
“Give her to me.”
Do Yi-hyun picked up Jeong-hyun first.
“Baba, Ababa, gaa!”
Surprisingly, as soon as Jeong-hyun was in Do Yi-hyun’s arms, she stopped crying abruptly. With glistening tears hanging, she babbled nonstop. Jeong-hyun stuck tightly to Do Yi-hyun’s chest, not wanting to let go.
“I missed you too, Jeong-hyun.”
Do Yi-hyun smiled faintly, stroking Jeong-hyun’s forehead, which had turned red from crying, with his thumb. At the affectionate touch, Jeong-hyun giggled brightly.
“That’s unfair.”
Seo Jeong-woon scrunched his nose and slumped his shoulders. Then he hung onto Do Yi-hyun’s back and muttered complaints. But he didn’t hide his satisfied smile.
In response, Do Yi-hyun raised an eyebrow. Somehow, his actions were similar to Jeong-hyun’s.
“Abuu…….”
As if reassured, Jeong-hyun quickly fell asleep again. While gripping Do Yi-hyun’s collar tightly.
“Wow. Honey, you’ve already been grabbed by the collar by Jeong-hyun.”
Seo Jeong-woon teased playfully, stroking the soft back of her hand. With her forsythia-like hand, she held on so tightly it wasn’t easy to detach. Only with Seo Jeong-woon’s help could he barely pry her fingers open one by one.
Fern-shaped wrinkles remained crumpled on Do Yi-hyun’s collar.
“Hahaha.”
Seo Jeong-woon let out a pale laugh and stroked the child’s head. Do Yi-hyun couldn’t bring himself to put the child down and went out to the living room as he was. His waist still ached and his legs felt numb, but not enough to stagger.
Seo Jeong-woon naturally supported his back.
“Grandmother. Jeong-hyun called me dad.”
Seo Jeong-woon, who had already properly readjusted his sunglasses and mask, boasted. Do Yi-hyun glanced at him. Sometimes Seo Jeong-woon strangely obeyed in unexpected areas.
“Is that true, dear?”
Seo Hui-yeon let Seo Jeong-woon’s story go in one ear and out the other, asking Do Yi-hyun for confirmation again.
“Yes.”
Do Yi-hyun nodded silently. Only then did Seo Hui-yeon let out a regretful sigh.
“If only you had come just one day later.”
Seo Hui-yeon said something hard to tell if it was sincere or a joke. She looked at the sleeping Jeong-hyun with a very regretful expression.
“Grandmother, you don’t believe me?”
“A grandson-in-law should be reliable.”
“That’s true.”
Seo Jeong-woon playfully grumbled but immediately agreed when Seo Hui-yeon praised Do Yi-hyun.
“That’s good, dear. You must have been worried a lot.”
Seo Hui-yeon patted Do Yi-hyun’s back. Do Yi-hyun slightly lowered his head and rolled his eyes. He was at a loss for how to react in such situations.
Then a noisy sound came from the entrance.
“We’re late because of you. What if Lee Hyun had left?”
“Why is that our fault?”
“That’s right. Mother took a long time choosing gifts……”
It seemed Seo Jeong-woon’s mother and siblings had arrived.
“Lee Hyun.”
Seo Jeong-woon’s mother, upon spotting Do Yi-hyun, looked delighted.
“Are you feeling alright? I was very worried.”
Seo Jeong-woon’s mother hurried over and examined Do Yi-hyun’s complexion. Seo Jeong-yu and Seo Jeong-ho behind her also greeted him with eye gestures. Seo Jeong-ho shook his head at his mother with an expression saying he couldn’t stop her.
Judging by the signs, it seemed a pile of gifts would soon arrive at their home.
“I’m……”
“Yes, Lee Hyun is fine.”
Seo Jeong-woon cut in, lightly resting his chin on Do Yi-hyun’s shoulder. Only then did Seo Jeong-woon’s mother, who had just noticed her youngest son, cover her mouth with her hand. Seo Jeong-woon’s appearance, bundled up from head to toe, seemed amusing.
“That’s a relief.”
Seo Jeong-woon’s mother deliberately averted her gaze instead of mentioning her son’s suspicious appearance. It was her own consideration.
“Well done, youngest. Do you like him that much?”
“Tone it down a bit.”
On the other hand, Seo Jeong-ho and Seo Jeong-yu tapped Seo Jeong-woon’s shoulders and quietly scolded him. They looked like they were pondering how best to tease Seo Jeong-woon. Do Yi-hyun cleared his throat and lowered his gaze.
“Of course I do. Noona and Hyung don’t have a cute husband like our Lee Hyun, so you wouldn’t know.”
Seo Jeong-woon hugged Do Yi-hyun tightly as if to show off. Do Yi-hyun glanced at Seo Hui-yeon and firmly pushed the solid chest with his elbow. But Seo Jeong-woon, far from letting go, burrowed into Do Yi-hyun’s embrace.
“Haa.”
Do Yi-hyun quickly gave up and patted the broad back. Whether Grandmother or parents were present, he clung without concern, to the point where everyone would find it strange if Seo Jeong-woon left Do Yi-hyun alone. While he knew in his head that Seo Jeong-woon’s family tolerated it, he couldn’t remain composed whenever Seo Jeong-woon approached so casually.
“……I’m getting married soon too, you know?”
Seo Jeong-yu slowly curled one corner of his mouth. His crooked smile showed signs of a twisted mind. Seo Jeong-woon’s Noona had been engaged for quite a while but was delaying marriage for strategic reasons.
When they met last month, she had glared at Seo Jeong-woon, who was smiling brightly beside Do Yi-hyun, and complained.
“I think I heard that story last year too. If you keep that up, Se-rin might run away.”
Seo Jeong-woon retorted without backing down. It felt different from when he played pranks on Do Yi-hyun. Seo Jeong-yu looked back and forth between his youngest brother and his husband.
He had so much he wanted to say his mouth itched, but he just smiled wryly.
“Lee Hyun, why did you marry someone like this, ouch…….”
Seo Jeong-ho, who had been watching from the side, mischievously interrupted and then hunched his shoulders. His face turned pale in an instant. Do Yi-hyun brushed the back of his neck.
Even without looking back, he could feel a murderous gaze from behind. It must be Seo Jeong-woon’s Grandmother. Around the time they were preparing for marriage, Seo Jeong-woon had told his Grandmother
“‘I almost broke up because of Noona and Hyung,’ he tattled. I didn’t see it myself, but I heard Seo Hui-yeon flew into a rage.”
Even now, Seo Jeong-yu and Seo Jeong-ho couldn’t comfortably badmouth Seo Jeong-woon to Do Yi-hyun as a joke in front of their grandmother.
“Haha.”
Seo Jeong-woon smirked and stroked Jeong-hyun, who was nestled in Do Yi-hyun’s arms. Do Yi-hyun treasured the sight of Seo Jeong-woon shrugging. Seeing Seo Jeong-woon act like the maknae when with his brothers was both fascinating and endearing.
“How old are you guys that you’re still fighting? Yi-hyun-ah, you haven’t had lunch yet, right? I’ll get it ready quickly. I’ve already prepared everything, so I just need to heat it up and serve it.”
Seo Jeong-woon’s mother glanced at the three of them and rolled up her sleeves.
“Understood.”
Originally, he planned to leave soon after dropping off Jeong-hyun, but Do Yi-hyun didn’t refuse the kind offer. Seo Jeong-woon’s mother headed to the kitchen with buoyant steps. According to Seo Jeong-woon, cooking for his family with her own hands was one of the joys of her life.
She even disliked anyone else going in and out of the kitchen, so much so that even the hired help didn’t approach it. A beautiful appearance, a charming personality, and a warm disposition. The more he saw her, the more Do Yi-hyun realized Seo Jeong-woon took after his mother.
However, he quietly swallowed the thought, knowing Seo Jeong-woon would be mortified if he voiced it. He hadn’t seen Seo Jeong-woon’s father much because he was so busy, but his demeanor was similar to that of Seo Jeong-woon’s grandmother or older sister. Cold, sharp, and relatively the quietest among Seo Jeong-woon’s family.
“I’ll watch Jeong-hyun. I don’t have much of an appetite. Yi-hyun-ssi, please eat comfortably.”
“Da… da…”
“That’s right, good boy.”
Seo Jeong-woon nodded and took Jeong-hyun. Even though Jeong-hyun mumbled for Do Yi-hyun in his sleep, Seo Jeong-woon managed to soothe him gently. Perhaps the threat—which didn’t even feel like a threat—that if he took off even one item, be it his mask or sunglasses, there would be no kisses for a week, had worked.
Or perhaps he really didn’t have an appetite. Do Yi-hyun curled his empty fingers.
“Did you hear that? I think our nephew just said ‘daddy.'”
“It’s unfair. ‘Uncle’ is too hard to pronounce.”
Seo Jeong-yu and Seo Jeong-ho whispered loudly enough to be heard.
“Don’t talk nonsense to Yi-hyun-ssi.”
Even as he left for the child’s room, Seo Jeong-woon laid down the law to his brothers. Then, he flashed an incredibly sweet smile at Do Yi-hyun.
“Ugh, he’s completely wrapped around Yi-hyun-ssi. What, are we going to eat him or something?”
Seo Jeong-ho clicked his tongue as if he’d seen something unsightly and grumbled familiarly.
“He’s so self-centered. Only his face is decent. It must be tough for Yi-hyun-ssi.”
Seo Jeong-ho stole glances at their grandmother while muttering as quietly as possible. It was strange how he kept badmouthing Seo Jeong-woon while being afraid of their grandmother.
“Yes, indeed.”
Do Yi-hyun didn’t particularly deny the badmouthing. It was a clear fact. But it didn’t matter because he knew there were far more good points.
Very occasionally, he even liked that self-centered side.
“It’s nice that Yi-hyun-ssi is so understanding.”
Seo Jeong-ho grinned. He seemed quite pleased, having had no intention of causing discord between the two.
“Let’s go, Yi-hyun-ssi.”
Seo Jeong-yu, who had been listening quietly, snorted and gestured toward the dining table. Do Yi-hyun followed Seo Jeong-yu. Delicious-looking food was already spread out on the long table.
He had suddenly ended up joining his family’s meal without Seo Jeong-woon. Left alone, it wasn’t particularly awkward. In fact, it felt quite familiar.
He had been practically kidnapped by Seo Jeong-woon’s brothers before, and he had often enjoyed dates alone with Seo Jeong-woon’s mother. Seo Jeong-woon would later grumble jealously upon finding out. Do Yi-hyun didn’t mind that time at all.
It was fascinating to see people who were similar yet different from Seo Jeong-woon. At the same time, an indelible question welled up. What on earth is fun about hanging out with someone as quiet and blunt as me?
“Thank you for the meal.”
Do Yi-hyun silently moved his spoon. Braised ribs, dried yellow corvina, and other tempting side dishes crowded toward him.
“Mother, you have a son here too.”
Seo Jeong-ho exaggeratedly slumped his shoulders but subtly pushed the namul Do Yi-hyun liked toward him. Seo Jeong-woon’s family took more meticulous care of Do Yi-hyun than Seo Jeong-woon did. Amidst the flood of attention, Do Yi-hyun cleanly emptied two generous bowls of rice.
“Thank you for the meal.”
“Shall I give you more? How can you eat so little?”
When Do Yi-hyun put down his utensils, Seo Jeong-woon’s mother fretted and tapped her foot. Despite her small frame, Seo Jeong-woon’s mother was a huge eater. The other family members, Alphas and a head taller than most, were no different.
As a former athlete, Do Yi-hyun had never been told he didn’t eat well anywhere. Although his appetite had decreased due to morning sickness, he still ate far more than the average adult male. Yet, whenever he came to Seo Jeong-woon’s family home, he was treated like a light eater.
“Leave him be. The baby might get indigestion.”
Seo Hui-yeon stopped Seo Jeong-woon’s mother. Do Yi-hyun awkwardly brushed his cheek. Was being overly doting a family trait?
Every time he received such attentive hospitality, he felt reconfirmed that they were Seo Jeong-woon’s family. Of course, Seo Jeong-woon was uniquely eccentric. As Seo Jeong-woon’s beaming face came to mind, the corners of Do Yi-hyun’s mouth relaxed.
Still, he vaguely guessed that when Seo Jeong-woon’s older sister got married, the attention might be divided. After finishing the meal, they moved to the living room. Seo Jeong-woon’s mother quickly set out a neat tea and snack table.
Do Yi-hyun silently sipped his tea. Even though he was full, the colorful dasik looked tempting.
“Are you going to the hospital today?”
Seo Hui-yeon casually broached the topic. Her sharp eyes were bright. Until now, Seo Hui-yeon had never commented on Do Yi-hyun’s plans.
Do Yi-hyun hid his bewildered feelings and set down the warm teacup. Did she perhaps want him to rest quietly at home? Her tone was extremely calm, making it hard to gauge her intent.
“…Yes. Once my physical condition improves, I plan to return to work as soon as possible.”
Nevertheless, Do Yi-hyun clearly stated his intention. Time spent with the child was precious, but taking an indefinite break didn’t suit him at all.
“Do as you wish. Just don’t overdo it.”
Seo Hui-yeon nodded without any particular objection. Contrary to Do Yi-hyun’s expectation, she looked quite satisfied.
“Then, shall we go on a family trip before that?”
Seo Jeong-woon’s mother smiled sweetly.
“Yi-hyun-ah, is there anywhere you’d like to go?”
Then she immediately turned to Do Yi-hyun. Seo Jeong-woon’s mother naturally considered Do Yi-hyun part of the family.
‘Family…’
Do Yi-hyun bit his tongue. The word, carrying a special weight, rolled around in his mouth. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t wrong.
But it felt strange because he had subconsciously categorized them as ‘Seo Jeong-woon’s family.’
“I’m fine with anywhere.”
Do Yi-hyun indirectly agreed.
“Our nephew is too young to go far.”
“How about relaxing at the villa? I’ll bring Se-rin too.”
Seo Jeong-ho and Seo Jeong-yu added their comments.
“Oh my, you must bring her. Otherwise…”
Seo Jeong-woon’s mother clasped her hands together, already excited. Do Yi-hyun tried to calm his churning stomach while listening to the increasingly concrete plans.
***
“Da-da, da, dada!”
Jeong-hyun rubbed his face against the cozy chest. Even when playing well by himself, he would whine and fuss if Do Yi-hyun glanced elsewhere for even a moment. It seemed separation anxiety had developed after being apart for a few days.
“That’s right.”
Do Yi-hyun soothed the child in his arms and stroked his chubby cheeks.
“Da-da, hee.”
Jeong-hyun soon beamed.
‘What to do.’
Worry flickered across Do Yi-hyun’s pale face. He had come to pick up the child as soon as his heat ended because he was worried, but he had to leave him with his mother again to go to the hospital. In his heart, Do Yi-hyun also wanted to take Jeong-hyun with him.
But the child, who rarely cried, would burst into tears as soon as they neared the hospital. It was frustrating not knowing the reason. Could he remember the hardship at the hospital when he was in the womb?
All sorts of thoughts crossed his mind.
“Yi-hyun-ssi is like glue.”
Seo Jeong-woon, having finished parking, chuckled while looking lovingly at Jeong-hyun.
“Hmm. This is inside the car. Not outside.”
Seo Jeong-woon looked around the quiet outdoors and subtly removed his sunglasses and mask. Sunlight glinted on his long eyelashes.
“I listened well, so give me a kiss.”
Seo Jeong-woon tapped his red lips. He even playfully rolled his eyes, pretending to be shy.
“I never said I would.”
Do Yi-hyun retorted curtly but kissed the tempting lips. Seo Jeong-woon laughed throatily and showered kisses all over Do Yi-hyun’s face. Peck, peck.
Feather-light kisses continued. Though more robust than the average Alpha, Seo Jeong-woon acted as if he didn’t know what to do with his affection and preciousness.
“…Let’s be reasonable.”
Do Yi-hyun frowned. But he didn’t push Seo Jeong-woon away.
“Reasonable means about an hour? Or two?”
Seo Jeong-woon threw out a half-serious joke and rubbed his lips against Do Yi-hyun’s cheek.
“Da-da-da?”
Jeong-hyun grabbed the fluttering hem of Seo Jeong-woon’s clothes.
“Jeong-hyun shouldn’t see this yet.”
Seo Jeong-woon playfully covered Jeong-hyun’s eyes. The small face was completely hidden.
“Gaa.”
Jeong-hyun grabbed the long fingers with both hands and kicked his feet excitedly. It seemed Seo Jeong-woon’s hands looked pretty even to the child’s eyes. Do Yi-hyun impulsively caressed the corner of Seo Jeong-woon’s eyes.
The gently curved outer corners were beautiful.
“Darling, why are your pheromones so strong? That’s strange. Is your heat not over yet?”
Seo Jeong-woon couldn’t hide his anxious expression and bit his lower lip. Yet, Seo Jeong-woon’s own pheromones were so sweet they were like cotton candy. Do Yi-hyun kept stroking the corner of Seo Jeong-woon’s eyes.
It was fortunate Seo Jeong-woon knew how to perfectly control his pheromones.
“Honey, Yi-hyun-ssi, darling.”
Seo Jeong-woon buried his face in Do Yi-hyun’s neck. Even though less than a day had passed since their long lovemaking session, it seemed his desire was already stirring. Do Yi-hyun clicked his tongue softly.
But he couldn’t say anything. As the fragrant pheromones swirled around, Do Yi-hyun was also starting to get a little aroused.
“We can’t do it here.”
“Haha, I’ll try my best.”
At the vague reprimand, Seo Jeong-woon let out a silly laugh. The two used pheromone neutralizer to tidy up completely before entering Do Yi-hyun’s mother’s house.
“We’re here, Mother. Have you been well?”
Seo Jeong-woon politely inquired after her well-being. He visited so often he looked as comfortable as if it were his own home.
“You’re here.”
Mother couldn’t take her eyes off Jeong-hyun in Seo Jeong-woon’s arms. Even though they had called ahead saying they’d be late, it seemed she had been waiting since morning.
“Long time no see, Yi-hyun-hyung, Jeong-woon-hyungnim.”
Choi Seon-woo also peeked from behind Mother. He stood on his tiptoes, straining to see the child, looking quite earnest. Seo Jeong-woon gladly handed the child into Mother’s arms.
“Ah, da-da, da!”
Soon, Jeong-hyun sat proudly in the middle of the living room.
“Look at Uncle, look at Uncle.”
Choi Seon-woo was almost lying on the floor, shaking a noisy toy with all his might. He was doing his best to win Jeong-hyun’s favor.
“Da, da-da.”
But Jeong-hyun babbled and then sharply turned his head away.
“Jeong-hyun-ah.”
Choi Seon-woo pleaded and crawled after the child’s gaze.
“Da!”
Then Jeong-hyun quickly looked the other way. It seemed the child was amused by Choi Seon-woo’s reactions.
“Hmm.”
Seo Jeong-woon seemed to think the same, stroking his chin with a subtle expression. He didn’t look like he planned to tell Choi Seon-woo the truth. Do Yi-hyun also didn’t bring it up.
“…So pretty.”
Choi Seon-woo’s father, who had been bustling about in the kitchen, cautiously sat down next to the child. Then, with wrinkled hands, he clumsily patted the child’s head.
“Ah, ah.”
Jeong-hyun suddenly spread all ten fingers wide. Now Do Yi-hyun saw that Choi Seon-woo’s father was holding an armful of snacks the child could eat. Do Yi-hyun sat next to Seo Jeong-woon and drank a cool americano.
The bustling living room felt unfamiliar. Until now, Choi Seon-woo’s father had made himself scarce whenever Do Yi-hyun visited his mother. Do Yi-hyun thought it was understandable he’d feel uncomfortable suddenly having a stepson nearly ten years older than his biological son.
Do Yi-hyun had also felt awkward around Choi Seon-woo’s father, so he considered it fortunate. Then, the day after he first brought the child to visit after being discharged from the hospital, his mother cautiously hinted. Choi Seon-woo’s father wanted to see Jeong-hyun.
It wasn’t a difficult request. He had planned to formally introduce the child anyway. But Choi Seon-woo’s father was much happier than Do Yi-hyun expected.
He beamed just seeing newborn Jeong-hyun smack his lips and even sang nursery rhymes with all his heart. Do Yi-hyun had roughly known he had a similar personality to Choi Seon-woo, but since Choi Seon-woo’s father had tried to maintain some dignity in front of him, this was the first time Do Yi-hyun saw him so excited. Somehow, the number of natural meetings centered around the child increased.
And he gradually realized. Choi Seon-woo’s father had kept his distance only because Do Yi-hyun had shown signs of reluctance; in truth, he wanted to become close to Do Yi-hyun more than anyone. Do Yi-hyun looked at his mother and Choi Seon-woo’s father sitting across from each other.
Even without exchanging particular conversation, the atmosphere was warm and cheerful with every babble and gesture from the child. Suddenly, a strong sense of alienation washed over him. The churning that had started at Seo Jeong-woon’s family home grew larger.
Do Yi-hyun unconsciously tried to retreat backward.
“Yi-hyun-ssi?”
Thump. But he was blocked by an affectionate embrace. Do Yi-hyun placed his hand over Seo Jeong-woon’s and tightly closed and opened his eyes.
Until now, he had thought his mother had left to find a new family, and he had been bounced outside the fence alone. The day he might call Choi Seon-woo’s father ‘Father’ might never come.
It might be impossible to acknowledge Choi Seon-woo as a ‘younger brother.’
But somehow, someday, in the far distant future, he felt the faint possibility of accepting them as family in a different sense.
‘How silly.’
Perhaps he had lived drawing lines too strictly. It was so simple a wry laugh escaped.
“It’s nothing.”
Do Yi-hyun leaned comfortably against the broad shoulders. Without Seo Jeong-woon and Jeong-hyun, he would never have been able to change.
Imprinting
Seo Jeong-woon glanced at the clock and stepped on the accelerator. They were delayed longer than expected because Jeong-hyun showed signs of them leaving and clung on, shedding chicken poop-like tears.
They were cutting it a bit close to the appointment time. Do Yi-hyun fidgeted with his shoulder. The small, crumpled handprint left behind bothered him.
The image of the child desperately stretching out his arms from his mother’s embrace also wouldn’t fade easily. Once he returned to work, this would become a daily morning scene. It was hard to separate from the child.
Someday, when the child grew up and reached school age, he would leave in a flash. Even though he knew he couldn’t hold him forever, he felt pointlessly regretful. Do Yi-hyun touched the corner of his mouth and cut off the clumsily sprawling thoughts.
He wasn’t the type to anxiously worry about the future in advance, but lately, he kept adding to the picture of the future. In Do Yi-hyun’s imagination, Seo Jeong-woon and Jeong-hyun naturally had their places. His black eyes turned toward the clean windowpane.
The sunlight was especially warm today. Passersby held hands and smiled affectionately. Suddenly, he thought it looked nice.
Do Yi-hyun unconsciously turned his head to follow them. Come to think of it, Seo Jeong-woon had suggested going on a picnic when the cherry blossoms bloomed. By that time, the child might be toddling around.
Seo Jeong-woon would often list off things they should do. And he kept most of his promises. Do Yi-hyun usually followed without complaint.
He was aware he was different from others in many ways. Especially emotionally, he tended to be quite indifferent. That’s why he was even more careful not to take away the ordinary, trivial happiness from Seo Jeong-woon.
“Who are you looking at instead of me right now?”
As Do Yi-hyun kept looking out the window, Seo Jeong-woon made a sullen face. Then, he fumbled to take off his sunglasses and mask again. If left alone, he seemed ready to remove his hat as well.
“What do you mean by that?”
Do Yi-hyun lightly brushed off Seo Jeong-woon’s forearm. He hadn’t been watching people with any particular intention in the first place, and the faces of the passersby had completely faded from his memory the moment they passed. It was clear that Seo Jeong-woon knew this but was being deliberately difficult.
“Look only at me.”
Seo Jeong-woon pouted and whined. Do Yi-hyun narrowed his eyes. Just where had his mood soured?
“Understood.”
Instead of arguing, Do Yi-hyun simply turned his upper body to openly gaze at Seo Jeong-woon. When Seo Jeong-woon acted unreasonably, it was easier to just go along with it. Above all, Seo Jeong-woon was satisfying enough to make his chest ache just from looking at him.
Under the blatant stare, the corners of Seo Jeong-woon’s mouth soon curved into a smile.
***
“The overall numbers have improved significantly. If we monitor the condition a bit more…”
The Doctor showed Do Yi-hyun his test results with an excited voice. He said the Omega trait had stabilized considerably, and there was a high possibility he could return to work within a month at the earliest.
“Yes.”
Do Yi-hyun nodded calmly. Although it was news he had been waiting for, he had already been feeling his condition improve since the end of his heat, so it wasn’t very surprising.
“Ugh…”
A suppressed sound came from beside them. The heads of Do Yi-hyun and the Doctor, who had been facing each other, slowly turned. Seo Jeong-woon had been repeatedly dry-heaving since earlier.
“…Sorry. I suddenly don’t feel well.”
Seo Jeong-woon leaned his pale face against Do Yi-hyun’s shoulder. His long eyelashes fluttered. Do Yi-hyun rubbed Seo Jeong-woon’s cheek over the white mask.
He had been fine in the car, but since arriving at the hospital, he had noticeably wilted. Do Yi-hyun even had the absurd thought that maybe Jeong-hyun took after Seo Jeong-woon in disliking hospitals.
“Are you pregnant?”
The Doctor asked Seo Jeong-woon bluntly.
“Doctor.”
Do Yi-hyun called out to the Doctor as if admonishing him. Even now, after becoming quite close, the Doctor still called Seo Jeong-woon ‘the kid’s mom.’
He was dissatisfied because Do Yi-hyun had suffered greatly due to Seo Jeong-woon, even though a long time had passed. Seo Jeong-woon laughed it off, but he was clearly an Alpha.
“Is that so?”
But instead of being offended, Seo Jeong-woon tilted his head and rubbed his flat stomach.
“Ha.”
Do Yi-hyun let out a hollow laugh, finding it absurd. It was an impossible thing, but even if told to get pregnant in his stead, Seo Jeong-woon would probably readily agree.
“The pheromones are especially bothersome today…”
Seo Jeong-woon trailed off slowly. His slightly lowered eyes looked rather forlorn.
‘Is he feeling very unwell?’
It seemed he really skipped the meal at the main house because he was in pain. He showed no outward signs, so Do Yi-hyun hadn’t noticed at all. Since it was an omega-only hospital, the density of Omega pheromones was higher than usual.
To prepare for any accidents, Seo Jeong-woon always took suppressants whenever he came to the hospital together. Depending on his condition, the degree to which he was affected by others’ pheromones varied. Knowing how unpleasant even a faint trace could be, Do Yi-hyun felt sorry for him.
Do Yi-hyun scrutinized Seo Jeong-woon carefully, biting his tongue hard with his molars. He should only feel pity, but the slightly distorted face and languid, trailing voice came to him strangely, making it difficult. Do Yi-hyun clenched his jaw to suppress the heat slowly rising within him.
“Doctor, could it be that I’m imprinted?”
Leaning heavily against Do Yi-hyun, Seo Jeong-woon suddenly placed his hands on the desk and leaned his upper body forward. As if asking when he had ever been gloomy, his eyes beneath the sunglasses sparkled.
“What?”
The Doctor retorted as if dumbfounded.
“Do you think imprinting happens that easily?”
The Doctor wrinkled his already lined face as much as possible and shook his head.
***
Seo Jeong-woon persistently requested a test. In the end, the Doctor reluctantly collected pheromone samples from both of them.
But surprisingly, Seo Jeong-woon really was imprinted on Do Yi-hyun.
“This isn’t something that happens so simply… Lee Hyun imprinted first, but still… No, logically…”
The Doctor muttered with a dazed expression. Do Yi-hyun was equally baffled. Normally, Seo Jeong-woon caused a fuss, constantly biting Do Yi-hyun and holding him in his arms, saying he wanted to imprint.
Sometimes, he grew anxious in a way unlike himself. Despite Seo Jeong-woon’s persistent efforts, there had been no change, yet he succeeded after just one estrus cycle.
“Ahaha.”
All the way home, Seo Jeong-woon kept bursting into clear laughter. When they went to pick up their child, Choi Seon-woo was on the verge of asking if something good had happened. Jeong-hyun, who had been sniffling and clinging to Do Yi-hyun, also opened his slightly swollen eyes wide and looked back at Seo Jeong-woon.
“I should have sent it along sooner.”
He even hummed a tune as he laid the sleeping Jeong-hyun on the bed. Then, he burrowed recklessly into Do Yi-hyun’s embrace.
“Ugh.”
Staggering back half a step from the heavy weight, Seo Jeong-woon wrapped his arms around Do Yi-hyun’s waist to support him. It was a subtle posture, unclear who was holding whom. Do Yi-hyun glanced sideways at Seo Jeong-woon, who was planting kisses on his shoulder.
Who was it that stubbornly avoided it every rut until now?
“Is it that good?”
Do Yi-hyun wrapped his arms around Seo Jeong-woon’s back. The Doctor had warned Seo Jeong-woon several times that the initial period after imprinting would be quite difficult. An imprinted Alpha becomes sensitive to others’ pheromones.
It meant a period of adaptation to the heightened senses was needed. It would likely be less severe than what Do Yi-hyun suffered with pheromone rejection syndrome during pregnancy, but judging by the dry heaving at the hospital, Seo Jeong-woon must also find it quite bothersome.
“Mhm. Because now I like Yi-hyun ssi more.”
But Seo Jeong-woon was simply overjoyed. It was truly strange and also cute.
“I imprinted first.”
Do Yi-hyun didn’t know if imprinting was related to the magnitude of affection. He just found the beaming Seo Jeong-woon annoyingly cute for no reason.
“Then let’s say Yi-hyun ssi liked me first, but I like you more.”
Seo Jeong-woon grinned slyly and shrugged his shoulders.
“Release more pheromones for me.”
He rubbed his lips against Do Yi-hyun’s nape. His voice, which lost its playfulness in an instant, was quite desperate. Do Yi-hyun clumsily released his pheromones.
When he was pregnant, smelling Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones allowed him to barely breathe. Even now, he often felt an opening sensation as if his chest was clearing. Did Seo Jeong-woon feel a similar relief?
Thinking that, a peculiar excitement welled up.
“Haha.”
At the faintly blooming scent of figs, Seo Jeong-woon laughed happily.
“I can’t live without you now.”
Seo Jeong-woon whispered into his ear. Contrary to the affectionate tone, a sticky obsession was plainly revealed.
“Ah, you need to take your medicine.”
Seo Jeong-woon quickly pulled back before Do Yi-hyun could show any particular reaction. After checking on the softly breathing Jeong-hyun, he grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s wrist and headed for the kitchen. Do Yi-hyun pressed his lips firmly together.
They had just gotten a prescription for birth control pills along with various other tests.
“I’m not taking it.”
At the sudden declaration, Seo Jeong-woon, who was walking ahead, stopped abruptly. He twisted his lips as if not properly understanding Do Yi-hyun’s words.
“…You can’t.”
Seo Jeong-woon even turned serious and shook his head. Then, he thrust his face right up to Do Yi-hyun’s nose.
“I don’t want to take it.”
Do Yi-hyun stiffly raised his neck, not backing down. As the Doctor had said, even though he had gone through heat, his Omega trait was weak, so the possibility of pregnancy was low. On the contrary, Jeong-hyun being conceived in one go was close to a miracle.
“Why?”
Seo Jeong-woon grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s chin. With his other hand, he repeatedly stroked his own face. It seemed he couldn’t control his expression well.
“Seo Jeong-woon ssi.”
Do Yi-hyun grabbed Seo Jeong-woon’s wrist and pulled it away. Seo Jeong-woon looked down at Do Yi-hyun with a hardened expression. The color had completely drained from his face, which was paler than usual.
“Are you going to run away?”
“Huh?”
“I asked if you’re going to run away, leaving me and Jeong-hyun behind.”
Even though he clearly knew Seo Jeong-woon wouldn’t leave after imprinting, Do Yi-hyun asked on purpose. No, even if he hadn’t imprinted, Seo Jeong-woon’s answer would have been the same.
“Where would I even go?”
As expected. Seo Jeong-woon shuddered as if the mere thought was horrifying.
“Then there’s no problem, is there?”
Do Yi-hyun rose on his tiptoes and kissed the corner of Seo Jeong-woon’s mouth. The firmly closed lips twitched.
“How many times do I have to say I’m strong for you to believe me?”
Do Yi-hyun chuckled. The main reason he suffered greatly during pregnancy was largely because he left Seo Jeong-woon’s side. As long as Seo Jeong-woon was there, he would be fine.
If they had a second child, it was as clear as day that Seo Jeong-woon would stick to Do Yi-hyun 24/7 by any means necessary.
“But…”
“I’ve decided on the prenatal name for I-un as Jeong-dam.”
Although Seo Jeong-woon was restless, Do Yi-hyun cleanly ignored him and continued his one-sided announcement.
“…Jeong-dam?”
Seo Jeong-woon only questioned the prenatal name. He seemed to remember suggesting they name the firstborn Jeong-hyun and the second I-un himself.
“Yes. It means to take after you. Do you dislike it?”
Do Yi-hyun enunciated clearly and pressed his lips to Seo Jeong-woon’s cheek. He could feel the neat imprint of teeth through the thin skin. The corner of Do Yi-hyun’s mouth lifted slightly.
“…You said Jeong-hyun takes after me. Then the second should take after Yi-hyun ssi.”
Seo Jeong-woon sighed and hugged Do Yi-hyun’s waist as if to break it. It was an indirect consent.
“Haa. You really drive me crazy.”
He scooped Do Yi-hyun up in his arms. Then, kissing him deeply, he strode out of the child’s room. Do Yi-hyun naturally wrapped his arms around Seo Jeong-woon’s neck.
Seo Jeong-woon carefully seated Do Yi-hyun on the sofa and then knelt before him.
“Yi-hyun ssi wouldn’t know.”
At the blunt statement, Do Yi-hyun’s eyebrows twitched. Seo Jeong-woon only smiled brightly. Do Yi-hyun would never know how anxious he felt every minute, every second.
To Seo Jeong-woon, Do Yi-hyun was an existence that could not be exchanged for anything. As he closed his mouth after that statement, Do Yi-hyun looked at him questioningly. Seo Jeong-woon laughed, his shoulders shaking.
He was so glad for Do Yi-hyun’s attention towards him. After marriage, Do Yi-hyun’s indifferent expression had subtly softened. Should he say he had gained composure?
In a different sense than before, it made people restless. Seo Jeong-woon pretended to lean against Do Yi-hyun’s chest and skillfully hid his erect member.
“Can’t I hide you somewhere no one knows and look at you alone?”
Was it because of the imprinting? A base desire for possession continuously welled up.
“You cannot.”
Do Yi-hyun refused outright. At the resolute answer that left no room for doubt, Seo Jeong-woon burst into another puff of laughter. Do Yi-hyun usually tolerated a fair amount of unreasonableness, but when he felt it was wrong, he never backed down.
That too was good.
“You’re so mean.”
Seo Jeong-woon muttered softly and slipped his hand inside Do Yi-hyun’s clothes. The smooth skin felt pleasant. He wanted to do anything for him, but Do Yi-hyun was so indifferent that he didn’t even have any wishes.
Then, very occasionally, when he did want something, he clumsily acted cute. Like just now. He clearly knew Do Yi-hyun couldn’t refuse him.
Do Yi-hyun was exasperating yet so lovable it was driving him crazy. To this extent, it was a severe case. Seo Jeong-woon felt pheromones churning from deep within his heart.
He familiarly surrounded them with just enough pheromones that Do Yi-hyun wouldn’t be startled and pushed the rest to a corner of the living room. Do Yi-hyun was poor at detecting pheromones, so he didn’t realize how potent Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones were even when he did this.
“Then I’ll endure it, so give me a kiss.”
Seo Jeong-woon smiled brilliantly and brushed it off as a joke. Do Yi-hyun frowned with his neat brow and lowered his head. His full lips lightly touched and parted repeatedly.
The corner of Seo Jeong-woon’s mouth twisted helplessly. Do Yi-hyun must have realized it wasn’t entirely a joke either. But he didn’t particularly reprimand Seo Jeong-woon’s dark desires.
Perhaps they would continue living like this.
“So pretty.”
Seo Jeong-woon sincerely admired and stroked Do Yi-hyun’s ear. As practiced, he crinkled his eyes into a smile and appropriately flushed his face. It was as if he was shouting with his whole body to love him.
Did Do Yi-hyun know? Their relationship had clear roles of superior and subordinate. Even if it seemed like Seo Jeong-woon wielded Do Yi-hyun by acting unreasonably, in the end, Seo Jeong-woon could only act willfully within the limits Do Yi-hyun allowed.
When Do Yi-hyun pretended to be unable to resist and nodded, it felt like he owned the whole world.
“Yi-hyun-ah.”
As Seo Jeong-woon brought his face close, Do Yi-hyun naturally met his lips. Even the hand patting his back, telling him to be moderate, sent shivers down his spine. He hadn’t anticipated back then that a relationship that started with mild interest and continued out of habit would deepen to this extent.
Seo Jeong-woon deliberately lowered his gaze and fluttered his eyelashes. It was one of the expressions Do Yi-hyun liked. He would strive to look pretty for Do Yi-hyun and struggle desperately to crave his affection.
He would tremble with anxiety, fearing Do Yi-hyun’s attention might shift elsewhere. He couldn’t let his guard down for a single moment. Because he liked Do Yi-hyun that much.
Because he felt he would die without him. They would be together like that. For a lifetime.
That fact filled him with overwhelming joy. Seo Jeong-woon smiled brightly, the imprint of Do Yi-hyun’s teeth still visible on his pale cheek.