By Zephyria Side Story Episode 6
Before Kwon Tae-hee could even finish his reply, Seo Jeong-won shook his head, saying it wouldn’t do. With a resolute expression, he told him to wait a moment, then sprang up like a coil and left the bedroom. Kwon Tae-hee pressed hard on his heating eyes and laughed.
How long had he waited like that? A savory smell filled the air, followed by the hurried sound of footsteps brushing against the floor. Soon, Seo Jeong-won appeared, holding a tray in his hands. He gently shook Kwon Tae-hee, who was lying quietly with his eyes closed. Of course, he wasn’t asleep, so he could have opened his eyes right away, but for some reason, Kwon Tae-hee didn’t want to.
“Executive Director. Please eat and get some rest.”
It couldn’t be said that there was no age difference, but it wasn’t so great that he needed to use such honorifics, so he was always bothered by that kind of formal speech. As Kwon Tae-hee slowly lifted his eyelids, he immediately saw Seo Jeong-won’s face, his brow furrowed.
“If you eat porridge and take medicine, you’ll feel better soon. I looked it up, and there’s a hospital nearby.”
“That’s a relief.”
When he coughed dryly, Seo Jeong-won’s expression became even more serious. Kwon Tae-hee realized something then. That Seo Jeong-won was happy and pleased to be taking care of him. It wasn’t as if he was so sick that he needed to be nursed by him, but he just wanted to receive more of Seo Jeong-won’s touch.
“I feel a little, dizzy, maybe.”
“You seem to have a high fever. I’d check with a thermometer if we had one.”
“My eyes are hot.”
As soon as he said that, Seo Jeong-won’s hand covered Kwon Tae-hee’s eyes. A fragrant, delicate scent spread subtly. The pheromone that subtly emanated from his wrist tickled the tip of his nose. He felt like pulling it down and kissing his wrist.
“If you take a fever reducer with it…”
“Jeong-won, lie down next to me for a bit-”
“No.”
He was resolute this time as well. Seo Jeong-won removed the cool towel from Kwon Tae-hee’s forehead and helped him move so he could sit up. He placed the tray on his lap and stirred the warm porridge, cooling it down.
Kwon Tae-hee chuckled and waited for the next action, and Seo Jeong-won neatly scooped up the cooled porridge.
“I’ll feed you.”
“Ah, I can do it myself.”
Even though Kwon Tae-hee had no intention of doing it himself, that’s how he replied.
“No. You took care of me when I was sick, Executive Director. I want to do that too.”
“Will you? Thank you. Actually, I don’t have much strength in my hands.”
Seo Jeong-won somehow felt responsible for nursing Kwon Tae-hee. Was it because he was seeing him sick for the first time? Seeing the man’s pale cheeks, which seemed like he’d never even had a cold or a stomachache, flushed red made him feel bad. He just felt sorry for him.
Kwon Tae-hee accepted the porridge that Seo Jeong-won fed him and leaned back against the headboard, acting as if he had no energy.
“Should I take the medicine now?”
Seo Jeong-won, who had checked Kwon Tae-hee’s forehead again, asked in a worried voice. Kwon Tae-hee nodded vaguely and opened his mouth. He knew, of course, that Seo Jeong-won would feed him. He tore open the medicine with his small hands, put it in Kwon Tae-hee’s mouth, and tilted the water glass to his lips.
He spilled a little, but Kwon Tae-hee didn’t care. He just wanted him to lie down next to him now.
“Just a moment, I’ll go clean up.”
“Jeong-won.”
“Yes?”
“I wish you would lie down next to me. Cleaning up… can be done later.”
Seo Jeong-won was a little surprised by Kwon Tae-hee’s childishness. He lowered his gaze and fluttered his eyebrows. It was a face that stimulated his protective instincts. Kwon Tae-hee, who always made him think he was pretty rather than handsome, was especially pure today. Perhaps because he was sick, he even exuded a pathetic and pitiful atmosphere.
Somehow, he felt sorry for him. Seo Jeong-won placed the tray he was about to clean up on a table in the bedroom and quickly climbed onto the bed. He lay down next to Kwon Tae-hee and pulled him in, and the large body wriggled and snuggled in, making a dry cough.
Seo Jeong-won inadvertently reached out and put his arm under Kwon Tae-hee’s neck, giving him a pillow, and gently patted his broad back.
“You just ate and lay down… I’m worried you’ll get indigestion.”
“…It’s porridge, so I think it’ll be okay. And I didn’t eat enough to get indigestion.”
“If you feel uncomfortable at all, please tell me.”
“I will.”
Kwon Tae-hee leaned his face against Seo Jeong-won’s chest and took in the good smell. The uniquely sweet scent he had never smelled anywhere else calmed the subtle headache. Kwon Tae-hee hugged Seo Jeong-won’s waist and buried his face even deeper.
How could he smell so good? They lived in the same house, and Seo Jeong-won used the same things he did, but he always smelled different from him. More gentle, softer, and lighter.
“You’re still hot.”
“Am I? I don’t really know.”
Kwon Tae-hee slipped his hand inside Seo Jeong-won’s clothes, gently caressing his bare skin and muttering. Soft, he said.
“Hurry, get some, sleep. A good night’s sleep will cure a cold. Sleep is better than medicine… Ugh-!”
“I slept a lot.”
The hoarse voice, though it sounded relaxed, was devoid of any composure. Seo Jeong-won pushed Kwon Tae-hee away in embarrassment. The temperature on the palm of his hand was still hot.
“Not, not now.”
“……”
“I want to go out in the afternoon. We were going to go there again, remember?”
Kwon Tae-hee, who immediately realized where Seo Jeong-won was talking about, sighed and smiled softly.
“So, for now, get some sleep and recover first…”
Kwon Tae-hee raised his head from where it was buried in his chest and stared at Seo Jeong-won. Because he had matured early, he was more thoughtful than his age. Most of the things he said firmly were right.
“I have no choice but to listen because you’re right.”
“…I’m glad you’re rational.”
Seo Jeong-won, who answered quietly, patted his broad back again. Of course, it wasn’t as if he wasn’t tempted either. But no matter how seductive Kwon Tae-hee was, recovery came first. Besides, he wanted to have the wedding he had planned.
Kwon Tae-hee, who woke up with a sore back from sleeping, reached out to the side of the bed as a habit. When he didn’t feel the presence that should have been in his arms, either hugging him or being hugged, his eyes flew open. If there wasn’t even any warmth left, it meant he had gotten up a long time ago, and it was absurd that he hadn’t even noticed him leaving.
His body, which had sprung up, felt refreshed, but his mood was unpleasant. Kwon Tae-hee, who immediately left the bedroom, checked for the person he had been so desperately searching for beyond the living room window. Seo Jeong-won was sitting on the edge of the pool, splashing his feet. The water droplets splashing from his toes scattered in the air, reflecting the light.
His pounding heart finally began to calm down slowly. Kwon Tae-hee wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and slowly crossed the living room.
As soon as he opened the door and went out, Seo Jeong-won, who sensed someone’s presence, turned around with a clear face. It was a sight more picturesque than a painting.
“You’re awake?”
“How long have you been out here?”
“I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like it’s been long.”
“It’s hot.”
Seo Jeong-won’s cheeks, which had been directly exposed to the sun, were flushed. Seo Jeong-won, who tilted his head at Kwon Tae-hee’s remark, smiled brightly and then moved his feet again, splashing around.
“It wasn’t hot because of the water.”
After Seo Jeong-won replied cheerfully, he propped his chin up and stood up. He roughly wiped his wet hands on his clothes and then reached out his hand as it was. He carefully examined Kwon Tae-hee with his black eyes and checked his temperature with a more serious expression than ever.
“Your fever seems to be gone. How’s your cough?”
“I feel refreshed. I guess I really slept well.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Do you want to swim?”
When he asked Seo Jeong-won, who was relieved, he shook his head.
“At night. I think it would be nice to do it at night.”
“With whom?”
“With Executive Director. You said you’d teach me how to swim.”
Kwon Tae-hee wiped Seo Jeong-won’s hand on his clothes and finally elicited the answer he wanted to hear.
Kwon Tae-hee smiled contentedly. He said it would be good to leave before it got too late and led Seo Jeong-won into the house. A soft scent emanated from the hair that swayed gently with his steps. Clean, refreshing, and a little sweet.
“Did you shower?”
“Yes, as soon as I woke up.”
“That’s unfair. I came out in a hurry as soon as I woke up to find Jeong-won.”
As soon as they entered from the humid outside, the cool air cooled the heat. Seo Jeong-won rubbed the exposed skin at the suddenly lowered temperature and shivered. Kwon Tae-hee silently raised the indoor temperature a little and took Seo Jeong-won away. When he showed him the clothes he had prepared in advance, Seo Jeong-won’s eyes widened.
“I brought them just in case.”
“Wow…”
“It’s not quite a formal dress.”