Cherry Cake Chapter 16.2

Up until that moment, Gi Taeyeon hadn’t considered putting Seo Soohyun in something like a slip. He’d seen omegas in provocative slips before, and since they’d never particularly impressed him, it wasn’t something he’d thought to have Seo Soohyun wear.

Then, out of nowhere, he grew curious about how Seo Soohyun would react if he wore one. Without hesitation, the man headed to the lingerie shop. The moment he opened the door, a slip that seemed like it would look adorable on his omega caught his eye immediately.

Sure enough, once worn, it was quite a sight. It wasn’t overtly erotic in design, but its simplicity somehow made it even more arousing. Whether Seo Soohyun was aware of the pink nipples peeking through the thin slip or the reddened tip of his cock trapped in the lace panties was questionable.

“Ngh, hah!”

The tongue, forcefully prying open the tightly clenched hole, moved fluidly, rubbing against the tender flesh inside. Gi Taeyeon released his pheromones, stimulating his omega. The body, sensing the alpha who had imprinted it, began to soften and open.

Of course, an opening body didn’t mean the hole would easily yield. Like a starving beast trying to sate its hunger with fruit juice, Gi Taeyeon greedily pressed his tongue inside.

Chup, chup, chup! Despite the lace, tailored tightly to confine the cock, clinging to his tongue, the man thrust it in without hesitation. What he tasted wasn’t the rough texture of lace but Seo Soohyun’s slick and pheromones, so there was no reason to hold back.

“Hah…”

Unable to hold out any longer, Soohyun’s hips sank lower. Gi Taeyeon, chuckling throatily, crushed the area around the hole with his lips while rubbing the perineum with his nose. The firm, sharp bridge of his alpha nose recklessly teased the delicate skin.

“No, hngh, ngh!”

Each time the soft skin was mashed against his lips and nose, the silk hem tickled his face. Suddenly, he wondered what it would feel like to drape a similar fabric over Seo Soohyun’s face. Not a slip on his body, but…

“Ah!”

Struggling as if in pain, Soohyun finally collapsed onto Gi Taeyeon’s face. Though he tilted his weight forward to slightly lift his hips, his thighs lacked the strength to hold him up, so calling it collapsing wasn’t entirely inaccurate.

His legs, his entire body, went limp. It was just a tongue, not a cock, yet his brain felt like it was melting as if they’d been rolling around for hours.

“Haa, hn, haa… Ngh!”

The problem was how good it felt. The sensation of his hole being sucked and his perineum being pressed made his hips twitch involuntarily.

“Ah…”

The lace panties, soaked with the cum his cock had spilled, were already drenched.

Soohyun shook his hips slightly, blinking. With his cock still trapped in the panties, instead of seeing his own erection between his spread thighs, he saw Gi Taeyeon’s forehead. The white underwear made it feel like he was wearing a veil.

Not that anyone wearing a holy veil would engage in such lascivious acts.

“Hk!”

His fleeting thoughts were cut short. A sharp pleasure pierced his scalp, and Soohyun gasped, letting out a moan. The man had bared his teeth and bitten the thin skin around the hole. That wasn’t all. The sensation of soft silk brushing his thighs, combined with the lace pressing against his cock, pushed his pleasure to its limit, demanding even more.

“Director, hk…”

His body burned endlessly, craving something larger, more vivid.

“This, ngh, stop… Ah! Hurry…”

As he shook his hips pleadingly, Gi Taeyeon’s amusement vibrated through his thighs. Even that sensation was delightful, mixing with his moans, when suddenly their positions flipped.

The moment his back hit the bed, Gi Taeyeon dove between his thighs. He handled Soohyun’s body so effortlessly, as if it weren’t his own, that there was no time to panic.

When did this happen? Soohyun panted, his mind foggy. He’d been sitting on Gi Taeyeon’s face, moving his hips, but now he was lying on the bed. The unfamiliar sensation of soft fabric, not the usual bedding, wrapping his back made his nape tingle.

“You came.”

“Hk!”

The man, casually tossing off his t-shirt, reached out and blatantly touched the panties. The broad, hot palm pressed down on his cock, and Soohyun swallowed a moan, his legs twitching. The underwear, now back in place, was slick with saliva around the hole, even stickier than before. Mixed with slick and cum, the white lace was a mess, blatantly displaying its ruined state.

“Look at our Soohyun, still so young, cumming in his panties.”

“I’ll… take it off…”

Soohyun flailed his hands. The issue was his strengthless fingertips and the too-tight underwear. Finally, he pouted at Gi Taeyeon, pleading.

“Direc… tor, ngh, I wanna take it off.”

Gi Taeyeon didn’t grant Seo Soohyun’s wish, lazily rolling his eyes. The sight of him struggling in white lace panties under a slip that revealed his nipples and navel was adorable.

The man’s sharp lips curled into a smirk. It was his signature Taeyeon face.

“Come one more time, and I’ll take it off.”

“Ah, I wanna take it off now, hk!”

An arm slid under his back, and his body was helplessly pulled again. Familiar with the motion, Soohyun didn’t bother resisting. He knew better than anyone how Gi Taeyeon moved when seating him on his thighs.

“Want that cock kiss here?”

Leaning against the bed, the man gripped Soohyun’s hips, chuckling as he rubbed a finger over the hole. Clinging to Gi Taeyeon’s shoulders, Soohyun barely managed to pull back. Lowering his eyelids, he saw twitching abs clearly.

Whether Gi Taeyeon teased him or not, Soohyun was determined to get the underwear off. Just as he tried to move his legs, the finger rubbing over the fabric blatantly changed direction.

“Ngh…”

As if it had never grazed the lace, it slipped against bare skin, pulling the snug underwear outward. Soohyun realized Gi Taeyeon had shifted it to expose his hole. The trapped skin met cool air, obvious even without looking. Before he could say anything, a hot mass touched the twitching hole.

“Hk!”

“Wanna take it off quick? Kiss it first, Boss.”

The drenched interior eagerly swallowed the thick glans. Soohyun reflexively held his breath. Knowing Gi Taeyeon didn’t wear underwear after a shower, it wasn’t surprising he’d lowered his pants and thrust in, but the sheer size of his cock brought instinctive tension.

“Ngh!”

His upper body jolted. Carefully steadying his breathing, waiting for his insides to adjust, Gi Taeyeon began licking his nipple through the thin fabric.

“Hah, ah!”

At a loss, Soohyun let out intermittent moans. His rear was filled with a cock scraping his walls, while his nippleSynecdoche front was being sucked. The overwhelming pleasure cascaded, demanding more.

“Hnngh…”

The intense suction overwhelmed the small bud, now as hard as his cock. Soohyun trembled faintly. He wanted to shudder harder, but each movement made the slowly entering cock carve its own path, making even that difficult.

“Ah, too, much, ngh!”

The excessive pleasure stiffened his spine, his head snapping back. Gi Taeyeon supported his neck but didn’t stop his oral or thrusting. He drove his cock in until the lace touched his groin, mercilessly ravaging the tiny nipple with his tongue.

Licking bare skin was more his taste than sucking through fabric, but this teasing sensation wasn’t bad occasionally.

“Ah, tight, tight, hngh!”

Gi Taeyeon glanced up at Seo Soohyun with only his eyes. One hand on his shoulder, the other covering his lips, the moaning face was both arousing and cute. Noticing the gaze, Soohyun delicately lowered his lashes.

“Direc… tor, hngh, this, tickles…”

Only then did Gi Taeyeon pull his lips away. The saliva-soaked slip clung messily to the erect pink nipple.

“Haa, what.”

“The, ngh, underwear, I wanna take it off.”

“With my cock inside, how’re you gonna take it off like this?”

“Ah!”

Thrust! A deliberate hip movement made Soohyun cry out. Seeing his face, Gi Taeyeon laughed crudely and pulled his hand down. With his head lowered, the taut lace panties came into view. So much cum had spilled that the white lace clung wetly, revealing the reddened cock’s hue entirely.

Gi Taeyeon didn’t grant his lover’s wish this time either. Knowing Soohyun’s deft fingers were fumbling, he didn’t help but spread his palm, pressing the erect cock and plump balls. Soohyun let out a whimpering cry.

“Ah, you’re so mean! Hngh!”

“Now you get it?”

The tear-filled face whining about his mean nature was utterly charming.

Chuckling, the man fondled Soohyun’s cock thoroughly before hooking his fingers to pull the underwear down. Milky fluid stretched long between the reddened tip and white lace.

Looks like he came twice. Holding the re-erected cock like soft clay, rolling it back and forth, the man thrust his hips up without giving Soohyun a moment’s rest.

“Hah! Aah!”

“Hoo…”

With the panties on, slightly shifted to thrust in, they couldn’t fully come off. Propped against a pillow, the man gripped Soohyun’s waist with both hands and began relentless thrusting.

“Hngh, hk! Aah! This, hngh! Tickles, ngh!”

“Haa, our baby, ngh, ticklish?”

Gi Taeyeon laughed fiercely. Each thrust made the thin slip flutter, brushing his firm abs. That partly explained the ticklish comment. Even he felt tickled by the fabric sliding over his wrists.

“Thanks to Seo Soohyun.”

“Hahh!”

“It’ll be… a day, hoo, I won’t forget.”

Soohyun dug his nails into Gi Taeyeon’s shoulders, struggling to endure, but Gi Taeyeon relished the sensation, thrusting freely. Like slaughtering prized prey, he drove his cock in with thud, thud! sounds, stealing a kiss from the drooling lips.

“Hahh, ah, ngh! Good! Aah!”

“Haha. Like it?”

Each fierce movement of his thick, muscular waist made Soohyun’s sunken belly subtly rise and fall. He moaned as if in pain.

“Hah, ah!”

His mind was gone. The cock crushing his walls alone nearly shattered his reason, but the fluttering fabric grazing his skin brought maddening tingles.

Sex with Gi Taeyeon always heightened his senses. Perhaps his sense of smell sharpened to take in pheromones, but touch became equally sensitive in their bed.

He could endure Gi Taeyeon’s touch and warmth because they were familiar. But the soft fabric brushing his skin? He had no idea how to handle it.

“Hngh!”

The rear was no different. The mean man had freed his cock, easing the front, but the underwear still clung to his perineum. As Gi Taeyeon thrust harder, Soohyun’s hips mashed against his thighs, the underwear sticking wetly.

The lace, designed for aesthetics, pressed his perineum relentlessly. His coarse hair alone was overwhelming, setting his head ablaze, but the lace’s pressure brought an unfamiliar surge of pleasure, terrifying in its intensity.

“Hik!”

Then Gi Taeyeon grabbed his hips. Instinctively, Soohyun clung to him desperately. Their sex had taught him what it meant when Gi Taeyeon held his hips like this.

“Haa…”

“Haa, ah, ah, aah!”

Thud! Thud! Thud! The thrusting grew chaotically rough. As the dark red cock plunged into the white hips and withdrew, the soft flesh under his hands quivered. The slip sliding over his veined hands couldn’t hide the pitiful sight.

“Hoo, damn… tight.”

“Hahh!”

Feeling the swollen walls grip his cock tightly, Gi Taeyeon clenched his jaw. His taut hands yanked the round hips closer, his veined cock spurting cum inside Soohyun’s guts.

“Haaah…”

Seo Soohyun bit Gi Taeyeon’s shoulder, curling into him. Drool leaked from his parted lips, but he lacked the strength to lift his head. Each time his crushed cock ejaculated, his half-lidded eyes blinked slowly.

“Haa, Fuzz-face. Came again?”

The man, not withdrawing, cradled Soohyun’s head, pulling his face away with a chuckle. Only then did Soohyun realize he’d cum again. The fluttery clothes were soaked with cum. Gi Taeyeon’s belly was splattered with white fluid, needless to say.

“This, ngh…”

Soohyun barely managed to speak.

“Take… it off… Hngh, I wanna take it off.”

“Want me to take it off?”

The man, playfully nipping his jaw, swiftly laid him down and stripped the fabric off.

“Haaah…”

The sensation of the large cock and sticky lace peeling away made Soohyun tremble sweetly. Every sensation was overwhelmingly intense.

“All good?”

Gi Taeyeon stretched the still-open hole with his fingertips, asking. Thick cum oozed from the gaping hole that had just held his cock, contrasting sharply with the reddened walls.

“Hngh, take, this off too. It’s wet and ticklish…”

“With Fuzz-face all limp and wet, how do I take it off?”

At the brazen reply, Soohyun forced his weak eyes to narrow. It wasn’t something a man who could strip him effortlessly, no matter how he lay, would say.

“Today, ngh… I’m letting it slide ‘cause it’s your birthday, Director.”

“Oh, really?”

The man, laughing as if amused, settled between the carelessly spread thighs.

“What if I don’t let it slide?”

“I’ll, ngh, sleep in another room.”

Truthfully, that wasn’t what Seo Soohyun wanted either.

“Anyway, ngh, stop teasing… and kiss me. I did it for you earlier.”

“Stick out your tongue. Wanna suck it.”

The man leaned down, grabbing his cheeks and commanding. Kissing was great, but having his tongue sucked was better, so Soohyun obediently poked it out. The man, smiling with just his lips, rubbed their tongues slowly before swallowing his lips entirely.

“Mmm…”

Gi Taeyeon savored the crushed moans, tangling their tongues deeper.

Seo Soohyun’s tongue felt hotter than usual. After pushing him to tears, it wasn’t surprising the mucous membranes were heated.

“Happy birthday.”

Suddenly, the memory of Soohyun singing with his small mouth made Gi Taeyeon smile while thrusting his tongue.

It was a common birthday song. Common didn’t mean he’d heard it endlessly. From birth, he’d belonged to the underworld; birthdays held little meaning.

Of course, as a child, he’d received birthday wishes. Born into an unconventional family, his gifts were cash, goods, or stolen items, not toys, but they’d thrown parties for the kid, complete with cake.

Items like dollars or gold bars still came occasionally under the guise of birthdays, no different now than then. But after childhood, parties ceased, and he erased birthdays from his mind once he fully embraced the gangster life.

So, aside from childhood, Seo Soohyun was the first to offer a cake for his birthday.

“Hnngh…”

Sucking the flushed tongue chup, chup, Soohyun moaned faintly, groping his shoulders. The bite marks seemed to bother him, his fingers tickling the indentations.

But Gi Taeyeon, impervious to pain, focused solely on licking the exposed, crimson flesh. After all that sucking, no cream flavor remained, yet Soohyun’s tongue carried a strange sweetness.

Truthfully, Gi Taeyeon didn’t like cake. More accurately, he had no interest in desserts, so he lacked preferences. Never craving a slice of bread, he didn’t seek cake for birthdays, just as he didn’t eat seaweed soup.

So when Soohyun babbled about reserving a cake, he’d only had trivial thoughts.

“Smeared with cream and put in his mouth, he’d probably suck it eagerly.”

He’d get scolded for playing with food, but knowing Soohyun, mentioning the birthday would make him relent, albeit reluctantly. Later, his eyes would glaze over, doing whatever was asked.

And if Gi Taeyeon hadn’t stumbled upon the lingerie shop, he’d have enacted that exact fantasy.

Knew he’d wear it if I mentioned the birthday.

Pressing the moist membranes with his tongue, the man tilted his head, baring his teeth. Scraping the soft lips, Soohyun let out a faint, pained sound—not from pain, but pleasure.

“Hk…”

Gi Taeyeon tormented the small tongue, caressing the heated body. The soft fabric hindered touching Soohyun’s skin, so he considered stripping it off. Tearing the white slip would reveal the erect nipples and equally flushed cock instantly.

“Haa, Seo Soohyun.”

Gently biting the pliant tongue, he slowly pulled back. His panting lover came into view, the crimson tongue between parted lips a bonus.

“What flowers you giving me next year?”

The flushed tongue reminded him of bright red flowers. Lilies last time, roses today.

“Hnngh… Dunno.”

“If you don’t know, who does?”

“Just…”

Even his panting breaths were pretty, so Gi Taeyeon gently stroked the moving lips.

“Then, I’ll give you flowers that suit you, Director.”

He answered as if the idea of not matching flowers never crossed his mind.

“Something to look forward to?”

Gi Taeyeon grinned, pressing the mole on Soohyun’s face with his tongue.

He’d never placed much meaning on birthdays, but from now on, they might become days to anticipate.

All because of Seo Soohyun.

🍑

“Wow, so much stuff.”

Opening the back door, Soohyun realized anew how much luggage there was and, after a moment’s thought, closed it. Since they were meeting at his Seoul grandma’s house, there was no need to unload here—just drive straight there.

“They won’t scold me for bringing too much, right?”

He’d packed beef, fruit, and antlers, worrying it might be excessive, but considering all his grandmas had given him, it didn’t feel like enough.

Soohyun gazed at the gifts, wrapped in elegant cloths from the department store, then slowly turned. Before him stood the supermarket, unseen for a while.

Thanks to telling his youngest grandma to leave it open during the holidays, he could enter the unlocked store.

“Looks like a lot of people came yesterday.”

Soohyun instinctively checked the safe. There wasn’t much cash, but considering usual earnings, Chuseok being Chuseok, it seemed plenty of customers had visited yesterday. The word “Chuseok” sparked thoughts of time’s passage, and he sat on an old chair. Sitting in the quiet supermarket after so long felt oddly nostalgic.

Resting his arm on the cold metal table, he leaned down, pressing his cheek against it. The view outside and part of the store came into sight. He noticed a red hotteok machine—his youngest grandma must’ve already set it up.

Sitting like this reminds me of when I first met the Director.

With his cheek against the chilly table, memories of meeting Gi Taeyeon floated vividly. The differences were no snow today and no Bokshil sleeping at his feet.

Yet, Soohyun didn’t sink into gloom over Bokshil’s absence. Just as he’d bravely overcome losing his mom and grandma, he’d long accepted parting with Bokshil as natural.

As always, he let sadness flow gently rather than drown in it. Recalling happy memories with loved ones was better than wallowing.

So, thinking of Gi Taeyeon felt only natural.

“I thought Bokshil’s bigger shoes were cool.”

Though Bokshil was small for a country dog, Soohyun had been genuinely surprised by someone with even larger feet.

“The Director’s probably working now, right?”

He’d gotten a message about arriving at the airport before leaving, so he must be busy with work now.

“Going on a business trip during Chuseok?”

“The Chinese get busier during Chuseok. And this line of work peaks on holidays, Boss.”

He couldn’t join Soohyun at the country house because his trip was to China. Though China’s Chuseok holiday was longer, saying it was busier suggested it wasn’t for noble reasons.

Regardless, Seo Soohyun was glad to visit his grandmas while Gi Taeyeon was away. Staying alone in Seoul would’ve been boring.

“Why, wanna come?”

“I’d love to go with you, Director, but it’s Chuseok, so I should see my grandmas.”

Though construction was delayed, it’d likely start before next Chuseok. Gathering for holiday greetings might be tough then, so visiting now seemed best. Plus, with Gi Taeyeon’s trip right after Chuseok, the grandmas would likely be chatting with village elders, not visiting family.

Knowing their schedules, he’d brought heaps of gifts for them and the neighbors.

Might as well check the house too.

Soohyun lifted his head as if he’d never leaned down. Thanks to his youngest grandma’s care, the dust-free supermarket came into view.

I was always late dusting… Feeling a pang of guilt, he stood. Though his grandma managed well, with time to spare, he planned to inspect corners and list items to order.

Since his youngest grandma refused payment, doing this eased his conscience.

— What’s our puppy gonna do with snotty money? It’s fine, I’ll save it for you.

“What? Then I’d feel bad leaving it.”

— Feel bad? I’m happy to have something to do.

“Still…”

— Instead, I’ll snack on a candy or two. That okay?

Checking missing items, Soohyun recalled their call. His grandma insisted on no payment, but today, using the holiday as an excuse, he planned to slip her some money before parting. Thanks to Gi Taeyeon’s cash, he could give generously, easing his mind.

“Take it.”

“What’s this?”

“Cash.”

“I already got gifts for the grandmas…”

“No pocket money?”

He’d considered it, but they’d likely refuse.

“I thought about it, but I figured they’d say no.”

“They’d take it if it’s my money.”

That made sense.

After deliberating, Soohyun took the cash. They weren’t greedy, so it wasn’t about needing money—more likely they’d refuse out of disdain for the Director.

“No, they might refuse even more?”

Hiding it in a cloth might be better than handing it directly.

Soohyun jotted down items to order in the ledger before opening the door to the house.

“Oh, the floor’s warm?”

Stepping up, he felt warmth. Knowing he was coming, his youngest grandma must’ve turned on the boiler early.

“Good thing I brought lots of gifts.”

Muttering proudly, Soohyun slowly surveyed the house. Except for the empty fridge, little had changed since he left. He checked occasionally, but his grandmas’ care kept it pristine.

Gazing at the small kitchen and adjacent living room, Soohyun stepped toward the master bedroom.

Creak, the rough door opened, revealing an electric blanket, thick bedding, and a large wardrobe. The youngest grandma, bored guarding the store, likely set up the blanket to watch TV.

The familiar scene drew a smile.

Entering, Soohyun slowly opened the wardrobe. Inside, his grandma’s neatly folded blankets. Burying his face, he smelled age. Until last winter, they’d carried her scent, but now, only the blanket’s odor remained, slightly saddening.

Should’ve come with the Director.

A late regret hit, but wandering the empty old house alone wasn’t bad, so it was fine.

Lifting his head, Soohyun gently stroked the still-plump blanket. He planned to sort these before the house was demolished. Though far off, he couldn’t leave them until construction began, so he’d tidy bit by bit each visit.

“The Director said to take everything, but…”

A small keepsake was enough.

Gi Taeyeon had suggested moving everything, but Soohyun politely declined. Some things needed letting go.

“Not today—when it’s warmer, I’ll sort then.”

Sorting his grandma’s blankets alone might be sad. Resolving to come with Gi Taeyeon, Soohyun closed the wardrobe.

Standing on the warm floor or seeing the blankets, he pictured sending Bokshil off. Back then, guilt made him endlessly sad, but now, cherishing that memory felt precious.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t happy. It was parting with Bokshil, after all. Even now, recalling it brought tears.

But separate from sadness, Seo Soohyun was okay. He’d overcome that grief and was living happy days.

And he planned to live happily, as his mom wished, as his grandma hoped. Bokshil, being a dog, couldn’t say “be happy,” but Soohyun vividly recalled her glossy black eyes. She’d have wished him joy too, so he planned to spend a lifetime happily with Gi Taeyeon.

“Meeting the Director was such a blessing.”

The thought slipped from his heart to his lips unbidden.

Meeting someone he’d grow to love, and thanks to him, parting well with Bokshil—it was truly fortunate. Recalling the man who’d scooped him up here, Seo Soohyun left the master bedroom.

His steps led not to his mom’s empty room but to the back sliding door. Opening it, he slipped into pink tricolor slippers outside. Lifting his head, a vast field unfolded before him.

The moments when Bokshil scampered around, when I loaded freshly pulled radishes onto the cart, when I trudged through the snow to open the soy jar terrace, and when I stood side by side with the man watching the snow-covered fields—all unfolded before my eyes in sequence.

“Wildflowers have bloomed.”

Feeling delighted, Soohyun took a step forward. He hadn’t planted anything since last winter, so there were no crops expected to sprout in autumn, but the brown soil was bursting with green and every color imaginable. Mixed with weeds, seeds carried from somewhere had bloomed into a field of wildflowers.

Should I pull the weeds? Soohyun pondered briefly but soon remembered he needed to visit his grandmas and set the thought aside. Instead, he crouched down to admire the wildflowers. They were delicate blooms rarely seen in Seoul.

“I should show the Director.”

Fumbling, he pulled out his phone to snap pictures of the wildflowers. Gi Taeyeon teased him, calling him an old man, but he always responded earnestly to the photos.

“Taking flower pictures has nothing to do with age.”

They were just beautiful, that’s all.

Soohyun gazed quietly at the pink and white cosmos, as well as nameless wildflowers. A faint floral scent mingled with the breeze, lifting his spirits.

“If I plant narcissus now, they’ll bloom in winter.”

Recalling the man who’d brought narcissus instead of green onions as requested, Soohyun giggled and stood, brushing his knees out of habit despite no dirt. Stretching slightly, he surveyed the sprawling fields again.

“If construction starts a bit later…”

He could tend to narcissus and other plants, but the limited time he could spend here felt a touch regrettable.

I’ll just plant them in Seoul.

Soothing his regret, Soohyun leisurely turned around. You can’t always do everything you want, so sometimes you have to swallow disappointment.

“Soohyun-ah.”

Where are they? Soohyun was scanning the large house’s surroundings when a familiar voice made him turn.

“Hyung!”

Kang Yiseon stood holding a large basket. The straw basket, usually for drying peppers, was filled not with red chilies but with dirt-dusted sweet potatoes. Soohyun hurried toward him.

“You’ve been digging sweet potatoes? By the way, where are the grandmas? I don’t see Seoul Grandma either.”

“They’re at Grandma Jung’s field digging sweet potatoes. They said they’d roast some for you when you arrived, but since they started, they might be planning to dig them all. They sent me ahead in case you were here. Let’s head in.”

Kang Yiseon nodded toward the house, suggesting they go inside.

“They said to roast sweet potatoes and wait if you were here.”

“Then I’ll go dig with them. I was itching to move anyway.”

Naturally falling into step beside Yiseon, Soohyun paused. If all three were digging, he should help. Plus, it’d been a while since he’d harvested root crops, and he wanted to savor the joy of it. Digging alone was fun, but with his grandmas, time would fly.

“Wanna do that?”

“Yeah. You head in first, hyung.”

Having left early, it was still morning, but autumn’s sun was, as always, intense. Seo Soohyun was used to blazing sunlight, but Kang Yiseon likely wasn’t.

“Oh, and I left gifts inside. Don’t be shocked.”

“Got it. See you later. Don’t overdo it—come back after a bit. Bring the teacher and grandmas too.”

“Don’t worry. If it feels too long, I’ll nag them to stop and go.”

Waving at Kang Yiseon, Seo Soohyun left Seoul Grandma’s house. No one answered the doorbell, so he’d slipped in, dropped off gifts, and come looking for the grandmas and Yiseon.

“They’re at Grandma Jung’s field.”

It wasn’t far from here.

Soohyun ambled toward the field. Strolling through the village he hadn’t seen in a while, he spotted familiar figures not too far off after a few minutes.

“Isn’t that Soohyun?”

“Why’d you come all the way here? I told you to stay home with Yiseon.”

“Grandmas!”

Instead of bowing, Seo Soohyun waved enthusiastically.

“I’m here to dig sweet potatoes with you.”

“Oh, goodness. Come here.”

He planned to take a few while digging.

Gotta bring some for the Director. Soohyun slipped on Yiseon’s discarded work gloves and joined the grandmas, excited to dig sweet potatoes after so long.

“Here, eat lots. You too, Yiseon.”

“Thank you.”

“You eat too, Grandma.”

Soohyun grinned broadly, accepting a sweet potato from Youngest Grandma. The ones Kang Yiseon diligently roasted had cooled enough to hold but, when peeled, revealed golden flesh steaming with white vapor.

“There’s chestnuts too, so eat those, okay?”

“Yup. You know I eat well.”

It wasn’t winter yet, so the red floral wool blanket wasn’t out, but Soohyun sat in a circle at Seoul Grandma’s house, sharing roasted sweet potatoes and chestnuts with the grandmas. They’d returned after an hour of digging. Regretting not grabbing bungeoppang at dawn, he found freshly roasted sweet potatoes tastier anyway.

“By the way, what’s with all those bundles? Piled up like a mountain.”

Soohyun’s gaze turned to Seoul Grandma across from him. Mid-bite, he swallowed before answering.

“It was Chuseok yesterday, right? You’ve given me so much, so I brought holiday gifts.”

“All that? One’s a lot, but three each?”

Grandma Jung, seated beside Seoul Grandma, chimed in. Since she’d given him a box of sweet potatoes, it was a good excuse, and Soohyun added warmly,

“Last time, you sent sesame oil through Yiseon hyung, and you’ve given me so much. I’m taking sweet potatoes today too. Since I’ve received, I should give back.”

“Still, that’s too much, Soohyun-ah.”

He was glad he’d hidden the pocket money in the cloths. Seo Soohyun subtly gauged their reactions, using Gi Taeyeon as an excuse.

“It’s fine—it’s the Director’s money.”

Kang Yiseon nudged his leg, signaling not to mention the man, but it was too late.

“What? Bought with that guy’s money?”

Grandma Jung’s eyes widened.

“Hmph, then we gotta take it all. Gotta take it just to spite him.”

“No, shouldn’t we refuse it?”

Youngest Grandma clapped her hands with a serious expression.

“What if it’s a bribe Soohyun’s offering?”

Glad again for hiding the money, Soohyun joined their banter.

“It’s the Director’s money, but I picked them out thinking of you, so please accept them. I’ve gotten so much from you all. If you refuse, I can’t accept anything next time either. I’d feel bad.”

Youngest Grandma, realizing her mistake, softened and patted his back.

“Our Soohyun’s all grown up, all grown up. Thinking of us grandmas.”

“Sigh… Fine, I’ll take it gratefully. If only you’d sent him to Seoul earlier, sister. He’s always been diligent, but he’s become a full adult in just a few months.”

“Don’t say that. It’s a blessing he lived here this long.”

Seoul Grandma, silent after starting the topic, finally spoke.

“Be glad a dark-hearted guy recognized his match and snatched him up.”

“Hey, sister. Just his heart? A guy dark inside and out took him away—how’s that lucky?”

“Better to be taken by the real deal than bitten by fake snakes pretending to be vipers.”

Seo Soohyun nibbled sweet potatoes, quietly listening to the grandmas. Kang Yiseon, sensing the mood, poured milk, signaling him to drink.

“Soohyun-ah, have this with it. Don’t choke.”

“Oh, thanks.”

Yiseon seemed worried he’d feel uneasy with his life discussed openly, but Soohyun wasn’t fazed. He just wondered if Seoul Grandma, supposedly famous, knew about the Director’s snake tattoo—silly thoughts like that.

“Sweetie, does that guy treat you well? Being a Seoulite, there must be things that don’t match.”

Listening to Seoul and Grandma Jung’s playful bickering, Soohyun sipped milk and turned to Youngest Grandma beside him. Sweet potatoes and savory milk, combined with people caring for him, filled his heart with warmth.

“He treats me really well, so don’t worry.”

Soohyun spoke clearly.

“I eat lots of tasty food, and since I love digging in dirt, he made a garden at home. We brought the store’s soy jars there too. And though he’s from Seoul, nothing feels mismatched.”

Unsure what “mismatched” meant, Soohyun racked his brain.

“He doesn’t mind me playing with dirt… Oh, and next month, we’re going to Naejangsan to see the fall leaves.”

Assuming it referred to Seoul’s urban disconnect from nature, he picked a nature-friendly topic.

He’d seen a TV program about “autumn hikes,” and the foliage looked so pretty he wanted to go. That evening, chatting with Gi Taeyeon as usual, he mentioned the show.

“If you wanna go, just go. What’s the problem?”

Without even saying he wanted to, Gi Taeyeon smirked knowingly and suggested it. Now, Soohyun eagerly awaited the leaves turning.

“It’ll be fun.”

He’d climbed the village hill but never a named mountain, so he was already excited. Famous for foliage, it heightened his anticipation. Fall leaves were beautiful anywhere, but a renowned spot felt extra special.

Or maybe it’ll be crowded?

A fleeting worry, but with Gi Taeyeon, crowds parted, so it was baseless.

“Naejangsan? Didn’t seem like his kind of place.”

“If he doesn’t go, what’s he gonna do? Raising a kid, you gotta do what they want.”

Grandma Jung peeled chestnuts, passing kernels to each. Soohyun and Yiseon thanked her, popping the golden nuts into their mouths. Last winter, they’d eaten chestnuts while discussing the man, and now, with warm chestnuts before them, talking about Gi Taeyeon again felt oddly familiar.

“Oh, right.”

Chewing chestnuts like a hamster, Soohyun shifted his gaze to Kang Yiseon, ignoring the grandmas’ griping. Noticing, Yiseon met his eyes.

“I got you a gift too, hyung. It’s on the living room sofa.”

“My gift?”

Not having checked the sofa, Kang Yiseon’s eyes widened.

“Yeah. Last time you came to Seoul, you treated me to food and ran errands for the grandmas.”

The sesame and perilla oil in soju bottles were from Yiseon.

“And you gave me a birthday gift last year.”

“I gave you a birthday gift?”

“Oh, a Christmas gift. My birthday’s Christmas.”

“Your birthday’s Christmas? I didn’t know and just gave a Christmas gift.”

Kang Yiseon frowned apologetically, but Soohyun smiled brightly.

“It’s fine. I don’t care much about my birthday. And I don’t know your birthday either.”

Should he ask now? Thinking Yiseon’s job might make it awkward, Soohyun held back.

“Anyway, I’m grateful for a lot, so I got you something too.”

“You didn’t have to… Thanks.”

“No problem. Open it later when I’m gone.”

Giggling, Kang Yiseon faintly smiled, ruffling Soohyun’s hair with his clean hand.

Then Grandma Jung, mid-rant about Gi Taeyeon, offered another chestnut and spoke.

“So, Soohyun-ah, when you gonna feed this old lady some noodles?”

Uh… He hadn’t thought about it, so he hesitated.

The cooking class CEO had asked if he was getting married. Recalling that, as Soohyun paused, Youngest Grandma gasped, appalled.

“What’s with such dreadful talk? He’s so young! Our bright-future Soohyun—what’s he lacking to marry a guy like that?”

Kang Yiseon poured more milk. By now, Soohyun was sure he was diverting attention whenever the grandmas said something tricky. But despite Yiseon’s efforts, they kept talking.

“That guy doesn’t seem like he’d let Soohyun go. Better to marry, then. At least he’d get assets when the guy dies. He’s much older, so he’ll go sooner.”

“Sister, you say the worst things in front of the kid.”

Youngest Grandma slapped Grandma Jung’s thigh with a smack.

“And guys like that don’t die quick!”

“Well, sure, but…”

Despite Yiseon’s nervous glances, Soohyun calmly ate sweet potatoes. He’d expected their reactions, and knowing his maternal grandma and mom would’ve said worse, this was nothing.

He was actually relieved by Youngest Grandma’s comment that such guys don’t die fast.

“Oh, right.”

Grandma Jung turned to Seoul Grandma beside her.

“What do you think, sister?”

“About what?”

“Soohyun. Would he live well if he married that guy?”

Seoul Grandma’s gaze settled on Soohyun. With her usual cool expression, she chewed a sweet potato, clicking her tongue briefly.

“Some folks live comfy in snake dens, one way or another.”

A vague answer, but Soohyun grinned, cheeks puffed. It felt like she meant he’d be with Gi Taeyeon forever, which warmed his heart.

🍑

“Wow, it’s been ages since I saw clover.”

Delight bubbled at the sight of the long-unseen wildflower. Crouching, Soohyun admired the round white blooms. After lunch and an early dinner at Seoul Grandma’s, he’d returned to the supermarket upon Gi Taeyeon’s call.

“Want to say hi to the Director?”

“Hmph. What’s so great about him?”

They were adamant, leaving no room to argue.

Oh well. Soohyun wasn’t disappointed. He hadn’t expected the grandmas to greet the Director warmly, so there was nothing to feel let down about. Plus, it’d be odd to just leave abruptly while with elders, so he’d asked lightly.

“I’m heading out then. The Director’s almost here.”

“He’s picking you up?”

Nodding at Kang Yiseon’s cautious question, Soohyun replied.

“Yeah. I didn’t know he’d come this far, but he called suddenly. I was gonna drive back or stay overnight, but I should go.”

He’d debated sleeping in his grandma’s room or heading to Seoul early when Gi Taeyeon’s near-arrival call came. Expecting him tomorrow after saying he’d return at dawn, it was a surprise.

“What about the car?”

“Someone’s probably coming to drive it.”

“That rough-looking guy seems to care for his lover, at least.”

Soohyun was thrilled by the unexpected call. He regretted not staying longer or sleeping over, but a call from his lover was naturally exciting—maybe more so because it was so unexpected.

“I told you he treats me well. Don’t worry. I’ll head out now.”

“Go safely. Call me if anything happens.”

“Yup. You don’t need to worry either, hyung.”

Yiseon, slightly worn from minding the grandmas, stood, patting Soohyun’s back gently to send him off.

“Soohyun-ah, come back for Seollal if you can, alright?”

“Yup. Even if not Seollal, I’ll try to visit this winter.”

“Good, take care.”

As he said goodbye to each grandma, Seoul Grandma suddenly grabbed his arm tightly.

“Sweetie, stick close to that guy, got it?”

What did she mean?

Plucking clover, Soohyun pondered. Knowing she didn’t speak lightly made it more curious. She used to warn against getting tangled with the Director…

“What’re you doing?”

His thoughts didn’t last. A familiar voice and tone made Seo Soohyun spring up and turn. Gi Taeyeon was stepping down from the back door to the field.

“When’d you get here?”

“Just now.”

Soohyun hurried to him, feeling the man’s gaze sweep from head to toe.

“What’d you do today?”

“Got here this morning, dug sweet potatoes with the grandmas, ate lunch, hung out, then had dinner.”

“Where else you wander off to?”

“Just delivered gifts to the village elders, nowhere else…”

Gi Taeyeon suddenly pulled him by the waist, burying his nose in Soohyun’s neck. Ticklish, Soohyun shrank his shoulders but stood still.

“Why’d you dig sweet potatoes?”

With a sniff, the man lifted his head and asked. Soohyun chattered about his day.

“Went to Seoul Grandma’s, but no one was there. Wondering where they were, Yiseon hyung showed up and said they were digging sweet potatoes, so I joined. They were digging for me—couldn’t just sit and eat. Got some as an excuse too.”

“They’re everywhere in Seoul.”

“Freshly dug ones taste better. I got them to eat with you at home.”

“Home?”

Gi Taeyeon’s lips curled into a sly smile.

“Yeah, home. What?”

Something off? It wasn’t a weird word, so Soohyun tilted his head, but Gi Taeyeon just smacked his hip, signaling to go, instead of answering.

“Let’s go home.”

Having lingered in the fields that morning and before Gi Taeyeon arrived, Soohyun swallowed his reluctance and followed him into the country house. Checking for lights one last time, he descended to the supermarket. Gi Taeyeon was already outside by the door.

Fine to leave it unlocked?

Stepping out, Soohyun hesitated, then turned. It wasn’t a theft-prone area, and he’d left it unlocked plenty before.

Sure enough, besides his car, a sleek black one was parked. An alpha standing by it bowed.

“Need to grab the sweet potato box.”

Lest he forget, he reached for the box he’d set out, but Gi Taeyeon swooped in, snatching it and heading to Soohyun’s car. The alpha who’d come with him quickly opened the trunk, and Gi Taeyeon loaded it himself.

“Come on, let’s go home. Give him the keys.”

“Thanks.”

Soohyun handed the keys to a familiar uncle, thanking him, then followed Gi Taeyeon, chattering.

“Not tired? I can drive.”

“Tired from this? I’d be knifed and dead. Just get in.”

Smirking as if it was cute, the man nodded toward the passenger seat.

I could drive… But if he says so, Soohyun climbed in obediently. The car started as he buckled up. His car left the village first.

“I’m happy you’re here, but how’d you get here so fast?”

“Gotta snatch Seo Soohyun before the old ladies lock him up.”

Gi Taeyeon chuckled, turning the wheel. Considering the grandmas’ reactions, “lock up” wasn’t far off.

“They didn’t tell me to leave you, though…”

“What’d they say instead?”

Telling the truth would reveal their griping, so he dodged. Gi Taeyeon likely guessed, but hearing it directly versus assuming was different. Soohyun wasn’t tactless enough to relay their words to his lover.

“When you gonna feed us noodles?”

Avoiding an abrupt topic switch, he picked something tied to Gi Taeyeon.

“Noodles?”

Mulling the odd phrase, the man grinned, rolling his eyes.

“When you feeding me?”

“Gotta think about it.”

Soohyun replied lightly. Never having considered it seriously, he felt the need to ponder.

“Gotta think that hard?”

Gi Taeyeon teased with a frown, but it was a serious matter, so Soohyun stayed quiet. He had no intention of leaving Gi Taeyeon, but marriage, tying families together, required caution.

“Wait, does that apply to me?”

He had no family to speak of in that sense. Gi Taeyeon never mentioned family either.

So it’s fine? Marrying the Director?

But blurting out a proposal when Gi Taeyeon asked about noodles felt wrong. It’d be like jumping at his words, shamelessly so.

“Dramas show proposals in romantic settings…”

Not the right moment, Soohyun held back.

“By the way, did you eat dinner?”

He considered asking about China but, knowing it wasn’t good, asked something else. The evasive question made Gi Taeyeon raise a brow, but with no intent to press, he answered lazily.

“Ran like hell to pick up Seo Soohyun, no time to eat.”

Knowing it was figurative, Soohyun’s eyes still dropped to the man’s thighs. Catching it, Gi Taeyeon smirked.

“Wanna check?”

“Didn’t mean it like that—my eyes just wandered.”

Seo Soohyun retorted cheekily. He hadn’t checked anything, so it wasn’t a lie.

“Even if you’re busy, you gotta eat.”

More importantly, that wasn’t the issue. Soohyun grew serious at Gi Taeyeon’s skipped meal.

Someone else drove from the airport, and China was likely similar. Plus, he’d flown, not driven. Soohyun didn’t know the flight time to China, but it was longer than Jeju, and even without in-flight meals, there was time to eat.

“Not hungry?”

Come to think of it, he’d heard flying was tiring. For the man to return so soon after leaving at dawn meant a grueling pace, and skipping food worried Soohyun.

“Eating Fuzz-face might fill me up.”

Knowing Gi Taeyeon would choose sex over food, Soohyun wasn’t fazed by the random answer. He just felt glad he’d brought sweet potatoes—quick to steam at home.

“You’d have more energy after eating.”

“Cheeky again.”

Gi Taeyeon laughed thinly, like hearing a puppy yap. Honestly, he was tough to handle even without food.

“Whatever else, eat properly.”

“Wouldn’t have skipped if you came.”

That left him speechless.

“I said it’s Chuseok, so I should see my grandmas. Some things can’t be helped. But I’ll go with you next time.”

Soohyun babbled, watching the darkening sky. Driving rural roads with nothing to see felt peaceful—how thrilling would unfamiliar places be?

With Gi Taeyeon, whether bumpy country paths with fields or smooth roads lit with twinkling lights, it’d all be wonderful.

“Always got a comeback.”

Gi Taeyeon squinted but smiled. Soohyun hadn’t realized staying behind had bothered him. But the past couldn’t be undone.

I’ll stick with the Director from now on, Soohyun vowed, speaking up. With nothing else to do, chatting about curiosities seemed best.

“What’d you do in China, by the way?”

He’d avoided asking, knowing it wasn’t good, but curiosity won.

“Where do I start?”

“From when you landed.”

Their talks often went like this. Gi Taeyeon rarely shared his life, while Soohyun babbled freely, making this dynamic natural.

Soohyun always listened eagerly to his lover’s stories. Even mundane topics, but an overseas trip? He couldn’t help but lean in.

As the shortened day turned the sky bluish, Soohyun chatted softly with Gi Taeyeon, passing sparsely built rural roads unlike Seoul.

After much talk, shifting and slipping a hand into his pocket, his fingers brushed something delicate.

“Oh.”

Realizing what it was, he pulled it out—a clover from the field. Tucked in his hoodie pocket, not his pants, it still held its shape.

Used to make rings with these. That thought brought Gi Taeyeon’s right hand on the wheel into focus. Suddenly, Soohyun wanted to make him a ring.

“What.”

“When you arrived, I picked some clover—forgot till now.”