By Zephyria 
“Sigh….”
Jeong-min clutched his hair and sighed while sitting on the sofa. When he came to his senses, there was no room to step in the living room. Because appliance technicians had come, installed all the latest electronics, and even cleaned everything, the house had completely transformed in half a day. What was even more absurd was that he had replaced the perfectly fine sofa and table. He couldn’t understand why he had done such a useless thing and called several times, but Kim Ju-hwan didn’t answer.
Of course, he thought it was natural not to answer since it was working hours, but he felt a strange sense of being avoided. He probably knew he had done something that would get him scolded.
“Just you wait.”
Since they weren’t going to stop seeing each other for the rest of their lives, and he would probably be contacted soon because of the drug anyway, Jeong-min leaned back on the sofa, thinking he would pour out his nagging then.
“Hmm….”
Everything Kim Ju-hwan had bought and sent was strangely his taste. No, it seemed like they were bought to match his taste. The sofa, and the brand of the coffee machine were things Jeong-min liked. Was it a coincidence? Yes, it must be a coincidence. How would Kim Ju-hwan know such things?
But he didn’t feel bad. Since an uninvited guest had already stormed into the house, if he liked the things, there was no reason to hate them.
“I feel lethargic.”
Was it because he had eaten the delivered dinner and spent the day frantically? Or was it a side effect of the drug he had taken yesterday? His body felt more lethargic than expected. He felt as if he could fall into a deep sleep if he just closed his eyes.
── Ding-dong
Until the bell rang.
Jeong-min bolted upright from the sofa. He was bewildered. There was no reason for the intercom to ring. If it were people sent by Kim Ju-hwan, there would be a confirmation call from the management office. But this was the front door bell. A bell that had never rung once until now…. Yet, he recognized this bell sound because Jeong-min knew the sound of Shin-woo’s doorbell better than anyone.
His heart raced. Who is it? Kim Ju-hwan? No. He would have also contacted the management office first. Then, perhaps….
Jeong-min walked out slowly, and at the sound of the bell ringing once more, he hurried out and opened the door.
“Ah.”
Even though he thought it couldn’t be, he hoped. Despite always being disappointed and telling himself not to expect anything, he repeated the same mistakes and wounds. But today was different. As soon as he saw Yu Shin-woo standing at the door, Jeong-min felt as if he would just collapse and cry.
“Jeong-min.”
Fearing that Shin-woo might be disappointed by his weak appearance, Jeong-min struggled to endure, not collapsing, and instead showed a smile.
“Shin-woo hyung!”
“Can I come in?”
“Huh? Uh. Of course.”
It was the first time since the day he moved. As Jeong-min opened the door, Yu Shin-woo entered the house. Thank goodness. The state of the house was clean today.
“Wow, is this the first time since moving day? A lot of stuff has come in since then.”
“Uh, yeah.”
Yu Shin-woo gave a cursory glance and sat on the sofa.
“Want some coffee?”
“I’m okay. I can’t drink coffee right now.”
“Ah. Right. Hyung went to the hospital, right?”
Yu Shin-woo had been admitted to the research institute for a short stay three days ago. It was for treatment and to test a new drug. Because of this, Jeong-min understood why he hadn’t been in touch. He knew that for security reasons, it wasn’t a place where one could use a phone freely.
“How are you feeling? Did the drug work? Is anything hurting?”
“Ask one thing at a time. Here, sit here.”
Shin-woo patted the seat beside him. Jeong-min quickly sat down next to him.
“I’m feeling okay, which is why I was discharged. Fortunately, the drug worked, and nothing hurts right now. I can’t feel any pheromones either. I think I’m alright.”
“That’s a relief.”
It really is a relief.
“Right. It is.”
Yu Shin-woo’s expression was bittersweet. Seeing the shadow fall over his face, Jeong-min carefully chose his words, wanting to offer some comfort. However, he knew that no words could truly console him. Having witnessed him nearly gasp for air several times, he knew all too well. If it was this hard for him to watch, how much worse must it be for the person actually going through it?
“Once I left the hospital, I missed you so much, Jeong-min. That’s why I came. I hope I didn’t disturb your rest?”
Shin-woo’s hand stroked Jeong-min’s hair. Jeong-min felt a sting in his nose and was on the verge of tears.
How long had it been since he’d heard such kind words? Exhausted by a condition that showed no improvement, Shin-woo had always been on edge, and he had grown quiet. For the first time in a very long while, it felt like he had returned to how he used to be.
“No, not at all. I’m happy you came, Hyung.”
“I’m so sorry to you, Jeong-min. Because I’m… pathetic. Even with you here, I have to sleep with Omegas… No matter if it’s for treatment, I feel like I’m doing something terrible to you….”
“Hyung, it’s okay. I told you I’m fine with it. I know better than anyone that there’s no other way.”
The faint scent of an Omega’s pheromones wafted from Shin-woo’s body. Jeong-min tried his best to ignore it, telling himself it was inevitable, but he couldn’t help the suffocating feeling in his chest. It made him feel even more selfish. To feel this way after pretending to be so understanding.
“I want to stop this now. Mixing bodies with unknown Omegas, hurting you and causing you pain… I want to stop all of it.”
Shin-woo overlapped his hand with Jeong-min’s. This was a first. Shin-woo rarely initiated physical contact. Until now, they had only hugged. He had never kissed him, nor had he ever reached out to hold his hand first. Jeong-min had assumed it was because they were both Alphas. That was why he was inwardly very surprised.
“Shin-woo… Hyung?”
“So, Jeong-min, are you still taking that drug to become an Omega?”
“…I am.”
“Still no progress?”
Jeong-min nodded, avoiding Shin-woo’s gaze.
“I see. Ah, I’m not trying to pressure you. I just hope you become an Omega soon… so that I can imprint with you, and you can be the one I share my body with. You know how I feel, right?”
“I know. I’m sorry, Hyung. I guess my Alpha factor is too strong.”
“An Alpha should be. That’s how it should be. There’s nothing wrong with that. Um… actually, while I was admitted to the institute, I heard several things. I heard an Alpha got pregnant this time?”
“Ah, yes. But I heard it wasn’t a trait conversion.”
“I see.”
What did he want to say? Jeong-min couldn’t bring himself to ask. For some reason, the skinship from Shin-woo, which had made his heart flutter moments ago, now felt heavy.
“Um… well, you’re trying your best. Thank you, always. Jeong-min, you are my hope. You know that, right?”
“Of course.”
Shin-woo hugged Jeong-min tightly and patted his back.
“Thank you for not giving up. Thank you so much.”
As the Omega pheromones surged from Shin-woo’s body, Jeong-min closed his eyes and hugged him back. It’s okay. He thought that if he became an Omega, both he and Shin-woo would be fine, and that this too shall pass.
✽✽✽
“Um… your physical condition is no different from last week.”
Jeong-min nodded at Doctor Kim Ari’s words. The regular check-ups, which used to be once a month, had changed to once a week after he started sleeping with Kim Ju-hwan again. Fortunately, his condition hadn’t plummeted as sharply as before, but he could feel that he wasn’t the same as he used to be.
“How is your body temperature?”
“I feel cold at night. Then sometimes I wake up suddenly because I’m too hot. But thanks to the medicine you prescribed, it’s not to the point where I can’t sleep.”
“Hmm, I see.”
While Kim Ari was asking various questions, Jeong-min felt a gaze and looked up. Kim Ju-hwan was leaning against the doorway; he didn’t know when he had arrived. It was the first time he’d seen him in two days. Jeong-min felt a surge of irritation that the man, who had been diligently avoiding his calls, was now shamelessly showing his face.
“Kim Ju-hwan, stay right there.”
“Yes, yes, I’ll listen.”
He raised both hands and spoke slyly. He was so obnoxious that Jeong-min felt he wouldn’t be satisfied until he landed exactly one punch on him. After finishing his conversation with Doctor Kim, Jeong-min stood up. As if he had been waiting, Kim Ju-hwan brought Jeong-min’s jacket and draped it over his shoulders. Then, he placed a hand on Jeong-min’s forehead.
“What are you doing? I don’t have a fever.”
“I know. But I still have to check. Sometimes you leave the hospital without realizing you’re sick, Sunbae.”
Kim Ju-hwan was right. Since he was sick almost every day lately, he had become dull to the pain and sometimes missed how bad his condition actually was.
“You seem okay today. Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”
Perhaps because he felt unwell, Jeong-min lacked the strength to reject Kim Ju-hwan’s kindness as he once had. He nodded and followed him. He got into the car that had become familiar, and as always, Ju-hwan fastened his seatbelt and adjusted the temperature inside the car.
“How is the temperature?”
“It’s fine.”
“Tell me if you’re cold or hot.”
“Okay.”
The car started smoothly. Jeong-min closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them, feeling a slight surge of emotion. He turned his head to say something to him and was startled. Kim Ju-hwan was looking at him.