By Zephyria Kwon Tae-hee to Seo Jeong-won, and Seo Jeong-won to Kwon Tae-hee. As they accepted each other and slowly unraveled their tangled knots, childbirth was already three days away. The doctor said that Seo Jeong-won’s physical strength was too low and would not easily improve even with medication, and cautiously asked if they should try a Pheromone shower.
He added that since Seo Jeong-won was already exposed to Pheromone and showing no rejection, now seemed to be the right time to try. Furthermore, he persuaded the hesitant Kwon Tae-hee that since there were only three days left until the scheduled surgery, they could cope even if an emergency occurred.
However, the expression “emergency” only increased anxiety. Seeing Kwon Tae-hee’s expression, the doctor hurriedly said that the possibility was slim, and explained that receiving Pheromone, which he had not received enough of during pregnancy, would be much more helpful to the fetus than to the mother. Seo Jeong-won, who was listening from the side, stepped forward more actively.
“Of course, receiving it once won’t make up for everything that was lacking, but I think it’s good to try. We’ve already passed the premature birth week, so there’s no problem with childbirth. So, please share your opinions and let us know. The medical staff will be prepared for all situations.”
The doctor, who had been expressionless all along, slightly curved his lips into a smile when he met Seo Jeong-won’s gaze. She bowed to the two of them and immediately left the hospital room.
“Executive Director…”
Kwon Tae-hee, who had been motionless, turned his head at the quiet call. Seo Jeong-won, who was making an ambiguous expression as if he was reading his face, cautiously asked if he was okay.
“Jeong-won, are you…”
“I’m, cough… I’m okay.”
His voice cracked as he tried to suppress his cough as much as possible. As the doctor said that his lung sounds were not good, Seo Jeong-won’s wheezing was loud every time he breathed.
“Pheromone shower, can you give it to me? I think… I’ll be okay now.”
“You know it’s different from just releasing Pheromone.”
“But… wouldn’t it be okay? I need it now, cough—cough! Especially for the baby, since it’s good for the baby, I want to receive it.”
Kwon Tae-hee was reluctant. He had not received a Pheromone shower for a long time, and he had even shown a rejection reaction to his Pheromone, so he could not guarantee that a shock would not occur. No matter how much the doctor said it was okay, he hesitated.
“And coughing… it’s hard to stop coughing.”
Every time he coughed, he couldn’t help but strain his stomach, and every time he did, amniotic fluid gushed out. Seo Jeong-won stroked his stomach without realizing it.
He didn’t press Kwon Tae-hee, who was worried, to think about it more and quietly closed his mouth. Because he knew that Kwon Tae-hee would do whatever he wanted anyway. He no longer utters words of refusal to him. As he closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep because he had no energy, a short sigh followed.
“Okay.”
“…Really?”
“Yes, really.”
The man’s expression, which had always been like a bright and colorful rose, was as gloomy as a withered flower. Kwon Tae-hee repeated that it would be okay as if reassuring himself, but his expression gradually darkened.
“You don’t have to worry…”
“…”
“I think it’ll be really okay. And even if it’s not okay… they say it’s okay to give birth.”
Seo Jeong-won, who was rambling about his thoughts to the depressed Kwon Tae-hee, covered his mouth with his pale hand. As he had done before, he tried to hold back his cough, but when he couldn’t hold it back, he shook his back and coughed softly. He took a small breath with his face flushed red, and rubbed his mouth.
“I can’t take cold medicine properly, so it’s a bit… uncomfortable.”
He glanced at Kwon Tae-hee, whose face was worse than his own, and mumbled awkwardly. He stared into his eyes with a complicated gaze, then reached out his hand. Seo Jeong-won lay on his side and quietly accepted his touch.
Kwon Tae-hee touched his soft cheek and seriously considered whether he should really give him a Pheromone shower. It would be helpful, but the possibility that it could be harmful could not be ignored. He was barely holding on, and anxiety spread like ink, wondering what would happen if Seo Jeong-won got worse. Nevertheless, there was no other way but to believe that it would be okay, as Seo Jeong-won said.
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Kwon Tae-hee decided to give Seo Jeong-won a Pheromone shower just before giving birth, and focused on improving his condition for three days. As if his efforts were paying off, Seo Jeong-won was getting better slowly but steadily. Despite confirming that he was okay with the medical staff and Seo Jeong-won at the end of a smooth day, his heart was pounding with anxiety that would not subside.
“Are you really okay? Shouldn’t we postpone it until after childbirth?”
Finally, the day had come. Kwon Tae-hee tried to control his mind, which changed several times a day, but when the day came, he was vaguely possessed by the thought that he didn’t want to do it. He wiped his mouth while looking at the equipment connected to Seo Jeong-won’s body, the constant graph, and the monitor displaying numbers.
“You seem to have a fever.”
Seo Jeong-won’s body temperature was higher than usual. Of course, he didn’t have a fever that was dangerous, and Seo Jeong-won said he was okay and rather comforted Kwon Tae-hee, so he couldn’t react fussily.
“I’m better than yesterday.”
After being hospitalized due to the risk of premature birth, Seo Jeong-won had never felt that his body was in good condition. Most of the time, it was the same as yesterday, or worse than yesterday. However, in recent days, he had been feeling well enough to say that he was good. Under extreme protection and care, his physical strength, which had fallen to the bottom, seemed to have recovered a little.
“I feel really good, except for a little trembling.”
As he said with a faint smile, Kwon Tae-hee looked at the monitor and quietly nodded.
“I think it’s because I’m a little unfamiliar with moving the hospital room. Executive Director, are you okay?”
“No, I’m not okay. I’m going crazy.”
Instead of saying he was okay, Kwon Tae-hee honestly revealed his feelings. His eyes, filled with anxiety, trembled. He wanted Seo Jeong-won to tell him to stop, but he couldn’t find any such signs on his beautiful face as he lay straight in bed and stared up at him.
“It smells good here…”
Seo Jeong-won changed the subject. He thought that if he continued the conversation, Kwon Tae-hee would do whatever he wanted. He deliberately looked around the hospital room slowly and forced the corners of his lips to rise.
“…Is that so? I don’t know.”
The place where they moved to receive the Pheromone shower was a space called PTR (Pheromone Therapy Room) for expectant mothers who needed a Pheromone shower. It was moved to a place close to the delivery room in preparation for any possible emergency.
Kwon Tae-hee held Seo Jeong-won’s hand and gently released Pheromone. The medical staff, who were busily checking Seo Jeong-won’s condition, lowered the illuminance of the hospital room and left all at once. Finally, the doctor came in and had a brief conversation with Seo Jeong-won.
“How are you feeling today?”
“I’m okay.”
“That’s a relief. As I said, if you feel anything strange while receiving the Pheromone shower, please press the button. We will stop immediately.”
Seo Jeong-won clutched the small switch in his hand and glanced at Kwon Tae-hee, who was standing by the bed.
“Yes.”
“Everything will be fine. Don’t worry or be too nervous.”
“Yes, thank you.”
She finally turned to Kwon Tae-hee only after confirming the baby’s movements for the last time.
“If you do it in an anxious state, the fetus can also feel negative feelings, so it’s best to relieve tension as much as possible.”
“It’s not working.”
“You’ll be fine. Even if an emergency occurs, we will handle it well. Please start as soon as you are ready.”
Even the doctor left the hospital room, leaving only the two of them, and an awkward atmosphere lingered in the silence. Kwon Tae-hee coughed unnecessarily and held Seo Jeong-won’s hand tightly.
“Seo Jeong-won didn’t know, but I really liked giving Seo Jeong-won a Pheromone shower.”
“…”
“I liked that I smelled like me every time I moved.”
He could only express it with the word “like.” Seo Jeong-won, who was a Beta, didn’t even know that he was giving me a Pheromone shower at the time, so that secret act was even enjoyable.
“But I’m a little worried and scared to do it again…”
“I’m ready.”
Rather, Seo Jeong-won was more energetic and brave than Kwon Tae-hee. He moved Kwon Tae-hee’s hand and gently stroked his stomach.
“The baby will like it too.”
Kwon Tae-hee, who smiled as if he had missed the last words, slowly released Pheromone. Pheromone, which was clearly different from what he had released for stability, began to pour out only for Seo Jeong-won. Kwon Tae-hee checked Seo Jeong-won’s expression, reaction, baby’s movements, and electrocardiogram monitor from time to time while covering Seo Jeong-won with his Pheromone.
At first, there was no particular change, but Seo Jeong-won suddenly sighed. At the same time, he pressed his lips tightly as if he was forcibly enduring the pain.
“Ha…”
Kwon Tae-hee’s Pheromone shook in surprise at the sight. He looked at Seo Jeong-won with anxious eyes.
“Seo Jeong-won.”
Seo Jeong-won coughed without having time to answer, and his face turned blue in an instant. Kwon Tae-hee felt that something was seriously wrong. He quickly gathered the Pheromone he had been pouring out to Seo Jeong-won, and the graph and numbers on the electrocardiogram monitor dropped sharply.
“…I, a little.”
“Seo Jeong-won. Seo Jeong-won!”
“Haa… I’m dizzy.”
Seo Jeong-won tried hard not to miss Kwon Tae-hee’s voice, but soon the sound that had been buzzing in his ears faded away. He frowned because it didn’t come into his ears completely as if echoing. His vision was also blurry, and he lost strength in his whole body.
Is this what a Pheromone shock is like? Through the blurry vision, he saw Kwon Tae-hee’s expression as if he was about to faint. He thought he was calling his name, but even that wasn’t certain. His consciousness gradually faded. He felt like he was left alone in the silence where even the sound was cut off.