23 – Promise

“Darling, I’m sorry. I’m too late, aren’t I?”

Seo Jeong-woon, who had stayed in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner, scurried over and stuck closely to Do Yi-hyun’s side. They had been apart for barely over ten minutes, but Seo Jeong-woon acted as affectionately as if they hadn’t seen each other for days. Do Yi-hyun looked down at the grayish-brown head nuzzling his shoulder and swallowed a hollow laugh.

Five days had passed since visiting the hospital on Sunday. Ever since finding out that Do Yi-hyun had imprinted on him, the smile hadn’t left Seo Jeong-woon’s lips.

“Lee Hyun imprinted on me, so he shouldn’t be apart from me for long.”

Seo Jeong-woon deliberately let out a deep sigh. ‘Lee Hyun imprinted on me.’ It was Seo Jeong-woon’s newly acquired habit.

The sentences that followed were mostly nonsense heavily reflecting his desires. Seo Jeong-woon tightly wrapped his arms around Do Yi-hyun’s waist. He tried not to leave his side unless absolutely necessary.

It felt different from his previous overprotectiveness. According to what Kim Yu-min heard, at the company, he always went around smiling brightly, so whenever people at the company met Seo Jeong-woon, they would comment on how happy he must be to be engaged. Thanks to that, it seemed all sorts of speculations were rampant within the company, like his fiancé being an incredible beauty, or that he was an Omega from a poor family and they were dating despite his parents’ opposition.

Do Yi-hyun hadn’t specifically asked first, but after replying a few times, an excited Kim Yu-min readily spilled stories about Seo Jeong-woon. He could guess how Seo Jeong-woon had known his information until now.

“Is it that fun?”

Do Yi-hyun pinched Seo Jeong-woon’s cheek without hurting him. He didn’t like that Seo Jeong-woon told him not to smile at others but then went around freely showing off his pretty smile. Still, he wasn’t stubborn enough to tell Seo Jeong-woon not to smile like he did.

He also liked seeing Seo Jeong-woon so happy he didn’t know what to do.

“Of course it is.”

Seo Jeong-woon answered promptly and nibbled on the inside of Do Yi-hyun’s wrist. His sharp teeth dug deeply into the tender skin.

“Euk.”

Do Yi-hyun let out a low groan but didn’t bother pushing Seo Jeong-woon away. Instead, he glanced at his own wrist peeking out from his sleeve. Despite having no particularly sexual encounters aside from being thoroughly licked last weekend, bite marks on Do Yi-hyun’s body increased day by day.

The nape of his neck had reached a point where not a single patch of intact skin could be found. It was because Seo Jeong-woon kept biting him, saying he wanted to imprint too. And that wasn’t all.

Seo Jeong-woon often mimicked things Do Yi-hyun had done during their first one-night stand. Among them were even acts Do Yi-hyun could hardly believe he had done himself.

“Kiss me.”

For example, like now, burrowing into his embrace, pressing their noses together, and begging for a kiss. Unfazed by Do Yi-hyun’s disbelief, Seo Jeong-woon put on an extremely coquettish expression.

“……Did I really say things like that?”

Do Yi-hyun couldn’t take it anymore and asked clearly.

“Of course. Hanging on like this was so cute. Darling, you don’t remember any of it, do you? See, I’m definitely the one who likes you more.”

Seo Jeong-woon blinked his large eyes rapidly. In contrast, Do Yi-hyun narrowed his eyes. There was definitely some falsehood mixed into that calm assertion.

Though annoying, Do Yi-hyun, knowing full well, gently pressed their lips together. Seo Jeong-woon was quite cute, making it hard to argue. As their lips met, Seo Jeong-woon eagerly tangled their tongues as if he’d been waiting.

Do Yi-hyun gently closed his eyes and ruffled Seo Jeong-woon’s hair.

‘Hmph.’

Enjoying the subtly rising pleasure, Do Yi-hyun momentarily flinched and shuddered. It was because Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones were so overpowering that his reason momentarily faded. Even noticing Do Yi-hyun’s struggle, Seo Jeong-woon only blew ticklish breaths and didn’t withdraw the thick pheromones.

Now, Seo Jeong-woon kept his pheromones at maximum at home. It felt more than a pheromone shower—it felt completely soaked in his pheromones. They were so intense that Do Yi-hyun had even unconsciously called out, thinking Seo Jeong-woon was beside him after he’d left for work.

From Do Yi-hyun’s perspective, it was something to be grateful for, but even if Seo Jeong-woon was skilled at controlling his pheromones, continuously emitting them without rest would strain his body. However, no matter how much Do Yi-hyun tried to dissuade him, Seo Jeong-woon was stubborn. He even insisted on making a nest on the bed every morning with his own clothes.

“Haa…”

As Seo Jeong-woon caressed his ear, the tension in Do Yi-hyun’s shoulders gradually eased. Perhaps it was because, despite being an Omega, he possessed Alpha traits. It wasn’t burdensome or unpleasant, but occasionally, Do Yi-hyun felt overwhelmed by Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones.

Seo Jeong-woon suddenly bit Do Yi-hyun’s lower lip hard.

“Ugh.”

At the sharp pain from his lower lip, Do Yi-hyun scrunched one eye.

“Why won’t it work.”

Seo Jeong-woon muttered while rubbing the protruding bone at the back of Do Yi-hyun’s neck in circles. A faint impatience could be felt in his low voice. While playfully boasting about the one-sided imprinting, Seo Jeong-woon wanted to imprint on Do Yi-hyun as soon as possible.

“There’s no need to rush.”

Do Yi-hyun leaned comfortably against Seo Jeong-woon, putting his weight on him. Then, he absentmindedly patted the firm thighs. Strangely, even though only he was imprinted, he felt no anxiety at all.

Rather, he found it quite satisfying to see Seo Jeong-woon unable to hide his restlessness. It was so clear that his mind was filled with thoughts of him, their child, and imprinting.

“Do you know how much I struggled to win Lee Hyun over? This is unbelievable.”

Seo Jeong-woon grumbled while planting kisses on Do Yi-hyun’s crown. He seemed unable to accept the proposition that Do Yi-hyun liked him more.

“Do you not consider me your mate?”

This time, instead of soothing him, Do Yi-hyun tilted his head back to look up at Seo Jeong-woon and bluntly retorted. Do Yi-hyun wore a cynical expression, but of course, it wasn’t serious.

“Ah, Lee Hyun. You know that’s not true. Believe me. You’re the only one for me.”

Just as Do Yi-hyun had gone along with the obvious ploy, Seo Jeong-woon earnestly explained while holding him tightly. Do Yi-hyun wrapped his arms around Seo Jeong-woon’s waist and pressed his lips together. Every time he spoke like this, Seo Jeong-woon’s clingy, affectionate behavior was so endearing that he kept making jokes he never used to.

Yet, he closely observed Seo Jeong-woon’s reactions. Seo Jeong-woon pretended to be upset and grumbled, but subtly rubbed his lips against Do Yi-hyun’s neck. He didn’t seem truly displeased.

Rather, he seemed to enjoy that the always-serious Do Yi-hun showed a different side only in front of him.

‘It’s difficult.’

Do Yi-hyun curled and bit his lower lip, where a faint pain still lingered. He could guess, but couldn’t be certain. It was quite perplexing that there wasn’t a clear-cut answer like a mathematical formula.

Trying to discern others’ feelings and being affected by their changes were unfamiliar experiences for Do Yi-hyun. Still, it was rewarding in its own way. He felt particularly proud when he realized Seo Jeong-woon’s habits that he hadn’t known before.

“Lee Hyun.”

Seo Jeong-woon called Do Yi-hyun in a languid voice while caressing his ear. When he wanted something, he put on an extremely pretty act. He’d shyly lower his eyes and flutter his eyelashes, or deliberately hunch his large body and burrow into Do Yi-hyun’s embrace to look up at him.

Or his already affectionate tone would become sweet as if dripping with honey, or his pheromones would lazily waft up. Just like he was acting now.

“Tell me.”

Do Yi-hyun nodded slightly. Even one or two methods would have been enough to get him to agree to most things, but seeing him mobilize every method suggested he was seriously determined. Do Yi-hyun couldn’t guess what words would come out of Seo Jeong-woon’s mouth.

Given his unpredictable nature, Do Yi-hyun felt a slight tension.

“Tomorrow’s the weekend. Want to go out together?”

But the suggestion that actually came out was utterly ordinary.

“Are you saying we should go for prenatal education?”

Do Yi-hyun frowned and asked again. Seo Jeong-woon still preferred the term ‘prenatal education’ over ‘date.’ Though it made no sense, it seemed more fun to him.

Outings under the pretext of prenatal education happened regardless of weekdays or weekends. Contrary to the grand purpose, Seo Jeong-woon planned simple courses. It was consideration for Do Yi-hyun, who got tired quickly when full.

Mostly they dined out, but sometimes they’d hold hands for a short walk or visit a scenic spot to chat quietly.

“That’s right.”

“Where are we going?”

Usually, when Seo Jeong-woon suggested prenatal education, Do Yi-hyun followed without asking the destination. But seeing Seo Jeong-woon blush and smile made him uneasy for no reason.

‘What is he plotting?’

Do Yi-hyun placed a hand on his stomach. Thanks to Seo Jeong-woon’s meticulous care, Do Yi-hyun’s condition was extremely stable. Moreover, discovering that he possessed both Alpha and Omega traits had been helpful in many ways.

As a result, they decided to have the surgery earlier than scheduled, in mid-June. Now, less than two months remained.

‘Is he planning a trip or something?’

Though it was a long time and the Doctor gave a positive prognosis, the situation could change abruptly at any moment. He knew Seo Jeong-woon was more cautious than him, but he worried about leaving the vicinity of the hospital.

“We’re not going far.”

Seo Jeong-woon, noticing Do Yi-hyun’s concern, quickly shook his head.

“Alright.”

At those words, Do Yi-hyun nodded without further thought.

“What if I kidnap you or something, and you agree without even listening properly?”

Seo Jeong-woon grumbled unnecessarily, though pleased.

“Do as you wish.”

Do Yi-hyun patted his head again. Even if kidnapped, life wouldn’t be much different from now.

“Lee Hyun, lately you don’t refuse anything I suggest, do you? You used to reject everything before.”

Seo Jeong-woon grinned, pulling Do Yi-hyun’s hand to rest his cheek against the back of it. He was openly demanding affection.

“Why ask when you already know.”

Do Yi-hyun scolded him while stroking his cheek as Seo Jeong-woon wanted.

“I want to hear it directly.”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled, his cool eyes curving into crescents. Do Yi-hyun filled his eyes with the radiant smile. If he had changed to not refusing, Seo Jeong-woon had become more spoiled.

He thought the people at the company who saw Seo Jeong-woon as mature and perfect would be quite surprised to see this side, but he never wanted to show it to anyone.

“Because I like Jeong-woon.”

Do Yi-hyun obediently gave the answer Seo Jeong-woon wanted.

“Hahaha.”

Seo Jeong-woon laughed brightly and hugged Do Yi-hyun preciously. Kisses rained down like rain all over Do Yi-hyun’s face.

“It’s nothing special. I just want to go to a hotel for a light change of mood. We’ll stay one night.”

After kissing to his heart’s content, Seo Jeong-woon whispered softly. Since they officially started living together, they had never stayed out overnight except for hospitalization. But was that such a big deal to make such a fuss?

“Yes.”

Do Yi-hyun replied briefly and fiddled with his distinct mouth corners with his thumb.

***

The next morning, the two, who woke up late, prepared to go out together. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say Seo Jeong-woon did it alone.

“Let me do it.”

Seo Jeong-woon snatched the wax Do Yi-hyun was holding. It seemed he intended to do everything from washing him, choosing and dressing him, to even styling his hair.

“……Alright.”

Do Yi-hyun handed over his hair with an awkward expression. Seo Jeong-woon skillfully styled his hair.

“All done.”

As Seo Jeong-woon stepped back, Do Yi-hyun glanced at the full-length mirror. Aside from the black turtleneck meant to cover the numerous bite marks on his neck, the black suit Do Yi-hyun wore was quite a classic design. His neatly swept-back hair felt subtly different from usual.

From head to toe, Do Yi-hyun was adorned with things Seo Jeong-woon had bought and touched by his hands. That fact made him inexplicably happy and his heart tickled. It was amusing.

Until he left home due to a misunderstanding, he had been upset that there was nothing of his in this space. He felt empty, as if he meant nothing to Seo Jeong-woon.

“This makes it feel real that you’re mine.”

Seo Jeong-woon also stood beside Do Yi-hyun with a proud expression.

“Whoever’s Omega you are, you’re really pretty.”

Seo Jeong-woon rested his chin on Do Yi-hyun’s shoulder while praising him. Do Yi-hyun messed up Seo Jeong-woon’s hair, which hadn’t been styled yet. The fine hair tangled and fluffed up.

The disheveled Seo Jeong-woon was a sight only he could see.

“Ouchie.”

Even though a few strokes of a comb would fix it, Seo Jeong-woon exaggerated unnecessarily.

“Drink this and wait a bit.”

Seo Jeong-woon sat Do Yi-hyun on the sofa and brought steaming lemon tea. Returning to the dressing room, Seo Jeong-woon soon came out wearing a beige suit perfectly. The already bright and dazzling person, having dressed up deliberately, was almost blinding.

“Weren’t we just going to a hotel to rest and come back?”

Do Yi-hyun slightly furrowed his brows. Both were already tall, and standing side by side with contrasting colors made them even more noticeable.

“Mhm. That’s right. But I want to show you off.”

When asked why he dressed up so much, the reason unexpectedly circled back to dressing up Do Yi-hyun.

“Didn’t you say before you didn’t want to show me to anyone?”

“That’s still true. But Darling won’t look at anyone else, right?”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled mysteriously and wrapped his arm around Do Yi-hyun’s waist. It was an answer unbecoming of someone who even got jealous of family.

“I don’t like it when Lee Hyun stares intently at our family.”

Seo Jeong-woon replied calmly, as if reading Do Yi-hyun’s mind.

“Isn’t that only natural?”

Do Yi-hyun twisted his lips. He needed to remember. And he was also curious about how much Seo Jeong-woon resembled them and in what ways.

“Lee Hyun, only look at me, only remember me. Shall we go now?”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled slyly and escorted Do Yi-hyun. He followed with a light heart, but the place Seo Jeong-woon took him was clearly an upscale restaurant. The staff immediately guided them inside upon seeing Seo Jeong-woon’s face.

No name needed to be given. Usually, when dining out, they ate in a private room for Do Yi-hyun, who was sensitive to pheromones, but this time it was an open window seat. It seemed to be the best seat in the restaurant.

Just walking behind the staff, gazes gathered from all directions. Do Yi-hyun glanced down at Seo Jeong-woon’s arm firmly holding his waist. Thanks to receiving a heavy pheromone shower from Seo Jeong-woon when leaving home and getting out of the car, he couldn’t feel others’ pheromones at all.

Seo Jeong-woon’s beauty, of course, the scenery beyond the wide window, the simple yet clean menu, even the soft music—nothing was lacking. Everything was to Do Yi-hyun’s taste.

“……Is today some special occasion?”

Do Yi-hyun asked cautiously. His or Seo Jeong-woon’s birthday was still far off. He felt a bit flustered.

“Who knows?”

Seo Jeong-woon tilted his head, smiling brightly like sunlight. Do Yi-hyun gazed intently at Seo Jeong-woon’s radiant smile. In many ways, it was satisfying, but there was one thing that bothered him.

It was that everyone’s gaze was fixed on Seo Jeong-woon. Even Do Yi-hyun, who usually didn’t care about others’ stares, felt uncomfortable each time. It was natural for eyes to be drawn to Seo Jeong-woon since he was so beautiful, but a lowly sense of possessiveness boiled deep in his chest.

He agreed with Seo Jeong-woon’s earlier statement about wanting to hide him tightly and not show him to anyone. Do Yi-hyun pressed his lips together. Was the strong possessiveness, uncharacteristic of an Omega, stemming from Alpha traits?

Then why did Seo Jeong-woon say he wanted to show him off? Did Seo Jeong-woon not feel much possessiveness toward him?

“Lee Hyun, focus on me.”

It was the moment he harbored a faint doubt. Seo Jeong-woon leaned his upper body forward slightly and whispered. His gaze was fixed on Do Yi-hyun, seemingly unable to look away.

Not just now, but always, at all times. Suddenly, he felt the illusion that only Seo Jeong-woon and he existed in this vast space. That gap evoked a strange sense of superiority.

Seo Jeong-woon shouted with his entire body that he was Do Yi-hyun’s. He felt foolish for having felt anxious even briefly. Now, he somewhat understood Seo Jeong-woon’s words about wanting to show him off to others.

It was truly irrational and illogical. Was this what love was? But he didn’t dislike it.

Rather, his soles tickled for no reason. Seo Jeong-woon looked at him with an affectionate expression. His grayish-brown eyes were sweet as if honey would drip from them.

Do Yi-hyun swallowed dryly. He wanted to jump over the table right then and kiss him. If he climbed onto those firm thighs, Seo Jeong-woon would naturally pull him close by the waist.

He wanted to grab those broad shoulders, bite those reddish lips, run his fingers down that long neck, then messily undo the neat tie. Seo Jeong-woon would watch with a faint smile no matter what Do Yi-hyun did. Occasionally, he’d press his hot, erect member firmly against Do Yi-hyun’s buttocks.

If an excited Do Yi-hyun tried to pull his head back mid-kiss, Seo Jeong-woon would surely press the back of his head and persistently continue the kiss. They’d breathlessly pant yet tenaciously explore each other. Just looking at the man before him, Do Yi-hyun became aroused.

His mind instantly filled with messy sex. Once it started, it was hard to stop. Do Yi-hyun’s black eyes darkened even more.

It was a subtle difference, but a change someone as perceptive as Seo Jeong-woon would easily notice. Do Yi-hyun’s hand, which had been slicing steak, slowed and then stopped completely.

“Lee Hyun, does the food not suit your taste? Should I change it?”

But Seo Jeong-woon pretended not to know and calmly continued his meal. Do Yi-hyun couldn’t bring himself to reply and only chewed his innocent tongue between his molars. Meanwhile, Seo Jeong-woon tapped his neat tie or stuck out his red tongue to lick his lower lip.

He was clearly deliberately stimulating Do Yi-hyun.

“Haa.”

Do Yi-hyun let out a barely audible sigh and wiped his face. Just the wrist visible from Seo Jeong-woon’s sleeve made his body heat up; with constant stimulation, he was losing his mind.

“……It’s delicious.”

The desire to throw everything away, meals and all, was overwhelming, but Do Yi-hyun clenched his fist under the table and barely managed to restrain his impulse. He didn’t want to ruin the date that Seo Jeong-woon had prepared in his own way. Do Yi-hyun mechanically chewed and swallowed the food placed before him.

It had definitely been quite delicious just moments ago, but now he couldn’t taste anything at all. Seo Jeong-woon leisurely rose from his seat only after neatly finishing even the dessert. Do Yi-hyun, who had long since emptied his plate and was waiting anxiously, gritted his teeth and followed him out.

A time that was at most around 20 minutes felt as long as an eternity. As he walked, Do Yi-hyun glanced down at his waist. It was fortunate to the point that he couldn’t get an erection due to the pregnancy.

Otherwise, he might have shown a pathetic sight. Just watching Seo Jeong-woon made his lower abdomen burn and his rear twitch. He was worried to the point of wondering if he was going into estrus again.

Now that he was in late pregnancy, he should refrain from mixing bodies, making it a rather troublesome situation. If he hadn’t had the child, he might have spent the whole day clinging to Seo Jeong-woon.

“Be careful, Darling.”

As they boarded the elevator, Seo Jeong-woon pretended to support him and wrapped his arms around Do Yi-hyun’s waist. Then he subtly stroked his ribcage. At the ticklish touch, Do Yi-hyun squinted one eye and gritted his teeth even harder.

The veins on Do Yi-hyun’s neck bulged prominently.

“Stop it.”

Do Yi-hyun spoke each word with force as he turned to look at Seo Jeong-woon. No matter that there were no others around, the elevator interior was still a public space. His patience had reached its limit, and if he left Seo Jeong-woon be any longer, it would truly be dangerous.

Suppressing the surging impulse made Do Yi-hyun’s tone sound not just blunt but almost angry.

“What?”

However, far from misunderstanding, Seo Jeong-woon blinked his large eyes and put on a full show of acting cute. Then, grinning, he gently rested his head on Do Yi-hyun’s shoulder. Do Yi-hyun held his breath.

Even the sensation of the soft hair tickling his chin was transformed into a sexual stimulus. Do Yi-hyun repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists nervously. Meanwhile, the elevator arrived.

As soon as the heavy door opened, Do Yi-hyun grabbed Seo Jeong-woon’s wrist and strode out briskly.

“Ow, ow, ow. It hurts.”

Seo Jeong-woon openly exaggerated his pain. It was obvious he was lying, so Do Yi-hyun didn’t slow his pace. Still, he slightly loosened the grip on the wrist he was holding.

Upon reaching the door, Do Yi-hyun unconsciously grabbed the handle and then paused. The key was with Seo Jeong-woon.

“Open it.”

Do Yi-hyun gestured impatiently with his chin.

“Hmm. Where did I put it.”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled thinly and tilted his head. He was definitely determined to tease Do Yi-hyun.

“Haa.”

Do Yi-hyun was about to search Seo Jeong-woon’s body on his own but took half a step back instead. If he touched him now, he felt he absolutely wouldn’t be able to hold back.

“Ah, here it is.”

Seo Jeong-woon didn’t drag it out any longer and pulled a square card key from his jacket’s inner pocket. He seemed to know that if he dawdled any more, Do Yi-hyun would get angry. As soon as they entered the foyer, as Seo Jeong-woon typically did, Do Yi-hyun pushed him against the wall and kissed him.

But instead of soft lips, he felt smooth skin. Seo Jeong-woon had covered his own mouth with his hand.

“Move it, quickly.”

Do Yi-hyun breathed heavily and dug his front teeth hard into the back of Seo Jeong-woon’s hand. It was infuriating how he had been subtly stimulating him while pretending otherwise, and now, when the time came, he was blocking him.

“Not now.”

Even though it should hurt from being bitten repeatedly, Seo Jeong-woon didn’t remove his hand and smiled with his eyes crinkled.

“What nonsense is that, ugh.”

It was the moment when Do Yi-hyun, unable to bear it any longer, was about to vent his irritation. Seo Jeong-woon didn’t miss the brief gap created by the distance and swiftly scooped Do Yi-hyun up. Usually, he would hug him tightly like holding a child, but this time he lifted him by supporting his back and behind his knees.

It was awkward and uncomfortable, but Do Yi-hyun reflexively wrapped his arms around Seo Jeong-woon’s neck. Seo Jeong-woon walked inside with brisk steps, as if it wasn’t heavy at all. Instead of complaining, Do Yi-hyun glared at Seo Jeong-woon’s sharp jawline.

He had no idea what he was scheming. Soon, Seo Jeong-woon set Do Yi-hyun down in front of the glass window with a wide view of the nightscape.

“What on earth…”

Do Yi-hyun, who was about to say something to the willful Seo Jeong-woon, paused. It was because Seo Jeong-woon had knelt on one knee at his feet.

“Lee Hyun.”

Seo Jeong-woon called Do Yi-hyun softly and looked up gently. Under the faintly lit lighting, Seo Jeong-woon’s face shone brightly. It was a face more dazzling than the splendid nightscape.

For a moment, Do Yi-hyun was at a complete loss for words.

“Will you marry me?”

He smiled shyly and held out a square case. Inside the softly opened case was a ring with a gemstone much larger than Do Yi-hyun’s thumbnail. The brilliantly sparkling gemstone was so large he couldn’t even begin to guess how many carats it was.

It was questionable whether it was even made to be worn. Seo Jeong-woon’s affectionate voice echoed in his head like a reverberation.

“…What are you doing right now?”

After moving his lips for a long while, Do Yi-hyun finally blurted out a foolish question.

“I’m formally proposing.”

Seo Jeong-woon grinned slyly, as if amused by Do Yi-hyun’s flustered stammering. Do Yi-hyun swallowed a shallow sigh. Only now did he understand what Seo Jeong-woon had been thinking, dressing up so much and going on a date today.

“You said we would choose the ring together.”

Do Yi-hyun fiddled with the simple ring on his finger and glanced at the ring in the case.

“What we agreed to choose together was the wedding ring. This is an engagement ring.”

Seo Jeong-woon shrugged nonchalantly. It was an implication that even though it looked expensive at a glance, it was no big deal. It probably wasn’t the case, but it was clear that if Do Yi-hyun wanted, he would buy him ten, a hundred, without limit.

“Aren’t you going to answer?”

When Do Yi-hyun beat around the bush, Seo Jeong-woon urged him, his cheeks flushed red. Do Yi-hyun took a sharp breath. The most beautiful man in the world was right before his eyes.

Feeling anxious, Do Yi-hyun unknowingly let out a small sound from his throat. It was a problem because he even begrudged the moment of blinking. Do Yi-hyun, who kept taking in Seo Jeong-woon with his eyes, very slowly parted his lips.

“No.”

“Thank… huh?”

Seo Jeong-woon, who had been smiling brightly as if he expected Do Yi-hyun to accept, asked again a beat late.

“…Did I mishear?”

Seo Jeong-woon’s hazel eyes wavered precariously.

“No.”

But Do Yi-hyun drove the nail in again with an expressionless face.

“Why?”

Seo Jeong-woon sprang up. He grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s elbow and brought his face close. The heart that had intended to refuse until the end weakened for a moment, but Do Yi-hyun stubbornly pressed his lips together.

“I was the one who proposed.”

Do Yi-hyun replied curtly. He could have added an explanation, but he deliberately didn’t.

“Well, that’s true… But I can do it too.”

Seo Jeong-woon furrowed his brow as if he couldn’t understand at all. Still, he seemed a bit calmer than before.

“You can’t. The proposal should be done by the one who loves more.”

Do Yi-hyun whispered as nonchalantly as possible. Seo Jeong-woon stared blankly at Do Yi-hyun with an expression as if he had been hit hard on the back of the head.

“…I feel like I lost.”

Seo Jeong-woon muttered softly.

“That’s a misunderstanding.”

Do Yi-hyun flatly denied it. He intended to be the one to do both the proposing and the losing, as the one who loved more.

“Lee Hyun, you’ve gotten much better at joking.”

Seo Jeong-woon let out a deep sigh.

“That’s unfair. You’re taking all the cool parts for yourself.”

Seo Jeong-woon shook his head side to side and came right up to Do Yi-hyun.

“Everyone knows Jeong-woon is cool. So in front of me, you can act as childishly as you want.”

Do Yi-hyun retorted calmly.

“You thought of me that way?”

Seo Jeong-woon narrowed his eyes. Do Yi-hyun shrugged and avoided answering.

“But can’t you at least accept the ring?”

Seo Jeong-woon pleaded, rubbing the bridge of his nose against Do Yi-hyun’s cheek.

“Well…”

Do Yi-hyun awkwardly held out his hand. It might not suit him, but since Seo Jeong-woon chose it for him, there was no reason not to wear it. Seo Jeong-woon carefully slid the ring onto Do Yi-hyun’s finger.

“As expected, it doesn’t suit me.”

Do Yi-hyun looked down at his hand and assessed. It felt quite out of place.

“It suits you perfectly.”

On the other hand, Seo Jeong-woon grinned and said the exact opposite. He was clearly deeply smitten. Instead of denying it again, Do Yi-hyun gently pressed his lips to the ring.

“So, can we do it now?”

Do Yi-hyun asked in a low voice without taking his lips off the ring. He wanted to kiss Seo Jeong-woon.

“Don’t. I’m jealous.”

Seo Jeong-woon grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s wrist and pulled it down, urgently pressing their lips together. Do Yi-hyun let out a hollow laugh. It was amusing how Seo Jeong-woon, who had used every trick to make him restless, was now jealous of a mere ring.

But the sweet kiss melted away any resentment. Do Yi-hyun wrapped his arms tightly around Seo Jeong-woon’s neck. Seo Jeong-woon positioned himself so as not to press on his stomach and released a strong wave of pheromones.

Do Yi-hyun’s form swayed momentarily, but it wasn’t dangerous as Seo Jeong-woon supported him firmly.

“I’ll lick you all night long.”

Seo Jeong-woon whispered suggestively and grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s buttocks. Since he couldn’t penetrate, it seemed like he really would just lick all night, which was a bit worrying.

“Hah…”

Seo Jeong-woon’s fingers trailed down the cleft of his buttocks. Then he pressed firmly against Do Yi-hyun’s already damp inner thigh.

“So lend me this.”

He whispered plaintively and pressed his lower body close. His hot, erect member poked insistently against Do Yi-hyun’s waist. Though he pretended to ask for permission, it was practically a notice.

Under normal circumstances, there was no way Do Yi-hyun would refuse Seo Jeong-woon’s request.

“Alright.”

His head heated to the limit, Do Yi-hyun nodded and bit his lower lip. It meant he understood, so now be quiet and focus on the kiss. Seeming pleased with the impatient Do Yi-hyun, Seo Jeong-woon chuckled.

He covered Do Yi-hyun’s mouth with playful pecks and stripped off his neat jacket. Thud. Plop.

As one, then two pieces of clothing piled on the floor, the kiss grew deeper and deeper. The pheromones enveloping them also intensified, making his waist tingle. Seo Jeong-woon headed for the bed, carrying Do Yi-hyun in his arms.

“Ha, ugh, nngh…”

Do Yi-hyun opened his jaw wide, trying hard to deeply accept Seo Jeong-woon’s tongue. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the pleasure Seo Jeong-woon was giving, when something caught on his finger. It was the ring Seo Jeong-woon had given him.

Along with it, the image of Seo Jeong-woon kneeling and proposing came to mind. Do Yi-hyun unconsciously let out a soft chuckle.

‘Maybe I should have accepted.’

But if he had, Seo Jeong-woon would have become unbearably smug, which would have been quite troublesome. Of course, he would still have been utterly lovable.

“Why are you smiling so prettily?”

Even at the fleeting smile that appeared and vanished, Seo Jeong-woon grew restless and pinched Do Yi-hyun’s cheek. Then he tapped the corner of his mouth as if telling him to smile again.

“I wasn’t smiling.”

“Liar.”

“Didn’t you say you’d lick me?”

To change the subject, Do Yi-hyun spread his legs to the sides. His glistening wet, erect member was clearly exposed.

“…Wasn’t it the one who loves more who loses?”

Seo Jeong-woon grumbled playfully and lowered his head. A long night had begun.