Alpha Trauma Vol. 4 Chapter 4 - Extra (1)

The sweltering heat of summer was in full force. The air-conditioned room was comfortably cool, unlike the lush, green world outside. The air was fresh, the blanket soft and dry. As if to prove it was the perfect environment for a deep, undisturbed sleep, a lump wrapped in the blanket lay fast asleep on the bed.

Dohyeon turned over to the side and gazed at the face that peeked out from the blanket. Gently closed eyes, and lips that occasionally twitched. No matter how cool the room might have been, the blanket likely made it a little warmer, yet his beloved partner was soundly asleep, completely at peace. It was probably because Dohyeon had pushed him to his limits last night.

“Yeon-ah, how long are you going to sleep?”

A soft, gentle voice asked. Though it was a question, the tone was so quiet it seemed like the voice was trying not to wake the other person. As expected, Wooyeon didn’t stir and continued to breathe evenly, sound asleep.

It had already been a month since summer vacation began. Wooyeon, who had planned to stay at his parents’ house during the break, had ended up spending most of his time at Dohyeon’s place. At first, it was because he felt awkward around Suhyang, and later it was simply because he didn’t want to part from Dohyeon. Suhyang didn’t object, so they had spent the entire month inseparable.

In truth, Dohyeon wasn’t the type to welcome others into his personal space. Even when he got close to people, there was always a certain boundary, and bringing someone into his home meant shattering that boundary. Even his past partners— Omegas— had never set foot inside his house.

Unlike Wooyeon, who had no sense of money at all, Dohyeon could objectively assess his lifestyle. The apartment, with four rooms, a spacious living room, and a kitchen, felt a bit excessive for a college student living alone. It wasn’t hard to imagine how others would view such an environment.

But Wooyeon was different. Dohyeon had never hesitated to bring him into his home. The brief discomfort he had felt was more about the guilt over the things he hadn’t been able to tell Wooyeon. He didn’t feel the slightest bit of resistance to the idea of having him invade his space.

Of course, the certainty that Wooyeon wouldn’t care about the size of the house had something to do with it. In fact, Wooyeon had shown more interest in Garam’s modest apartment than his own. Dohyeon knew his personality well enough to understand that. After all, for someone who treated a penthouse as just a “regular apartment,” it would be strange for him to be shocked by the size of Dohyeon’s place.

Days that began and ended with Seon Wooyeon. Each day was filled with happiness. When he had first received the apartment from his parents, he thought a large house was unnecessary, but now, just being able to comfortably be with Wooyeon there had completely changed his perspective.

Recently, right after the rainy season ended, they had gone on a trip. On a whim, Wooyeon had mentioned wanting to see the sea, so they left the house without any real plan and stayed in an absurdly expensive hotel for about four days. Though they couldn’t freely roam due to the press, the view from the window made the stay bearable.

“This is my first time going on a trip like this,” Wooyeon said.

More than anything, Wooyeon loved the fact that he was traveling with Dohyeon. Whether it was feeling the sea breeze on the balcony, choosing from room service menus, or adding bath salts to the bathtub, he looked at Dohyeon with sparkling eyes full of excitement. His blushing cheeks were so adorable that Dohyeon almost wanted to bite them.

“You’re so cute.”

Remembering that moment, Dohyeon smiled softly and kissed Wooyeon’s forehead. Perhaps he had disturbed his peaceful sleep, because Wooyeon furrowed his brow and stirred. Despite whining as if not wanting to be touched, the place he ended up was in Dohyeon’s embrace.

“Shh…”

After a few gentle pats, Wooyeon relaxed and returned to a calm expression. It was clear that he felt comforted by the familiar pheromones and warmth. Seeing him like this, Dohyeon couldn’t help but think how much like a baby he seemed… and his thoughts took a rather shameless turn as he hugged the bundle of blankets tighter.

Wooyeon opened his eyes about 10 minutes later, just after Dohyeon had kissed him a couple of times, stroked his back over the blanket, and released pheromones that soaked him.

“Hmm…”

His eyelids opened slowly. The thin double eyelids revealed clear eyes, though still blurry from sleep.

“Did you wake up?”

“Yeah…”

Even though he was still half-asleep, Wooyeon instinctively acted a little spoiled, narrowing his eyes and rubbing his face against Dohyeon’s palm. He looked like a cat being affectionate.

“I’m hot…”

He seemed fine while sleeping, but now that he was awake, he felt the heat. No matter how much it was a summer blanket, being wrapped up like a sushi roll must have been uncomfortable. Plus, with Dohyeon’s body heat added to it, the air conditioner was useless.

Wooyeon sluggishly shifted and threw off the blanket. Beneath the discarded blanket, his bare body was exposed. Unlike Dohyeon, who had at least put on some pants, Wooyeon was completely naked.

“Want to sleep more?”

“Mm.”

Dohyeon obediently offered his arm to Wooyeon, who clung to him. Wooyeon snuggled into him, resting his small head on Dohyeon’s chest. His warm skin, pressed so closely, felt as warm as a child’s.

“You’re completely naked.”

Wooyeon’s bare upper body, his round buttocks, and pale thighs were all covered in marks of passion. Normally, Dohyeon would have put a shirt on him, but today, he had been a bit unpredictable. Of course, he had wrapped him up in the blanket to keep him from catching a cold.

“Teacher, you’re completely naked too…”

Teacher? The word clearly revealed that he was still in a dream-like state. Dohyeon pondered whether to correct the title or the statement about being naked. After considering both options, Dohyeon chose to run his hand down Wooyeon’s slender back. The sensation of his palm rubbing against the skin made Wooyeon open his eyes slightly.

“…….”

“What’s wrong?”

“…….”

“If you’re sleepy, go back to sleep.”

Wooyeon’s gaze was filled with resentment. It was clear that he meant, “Then don’t touch me.” But Dohyeon pretended not to notice and continued to caress his waist. If he moved his hand just a bit lower, he could grasp Wooyeon’s soft buttocks.

“How can I sleep like this…”

Wooyeon grumbled and turned his back like a snail, trying to escape Dohyeon’s hand. But Dohyeon didn’t care and continued to move his hand. From his lean stomach to his flat chest, he enjoyed the sensation of Wooyeon’s skin. His slender neckline was particularly enticing.

I want to bite it… As soon as that thought crossed his mind, he pressed his lips down without hesitation. The scent of Wooyeon’s unique pheromones filled the air from his already flushed neck. As Dohyeon sucked on it like a sweet nectar, Wooyeon hunched his shoulders and curled his legs.

“Hng…”

His round earlobes turned bright red. The thing between his legs was not just because he had woken up from sleep. The fresh pheromones became ripe, and Wooyeon’s trembling intervals shortened.

“If you’re sleepy, I’ll stop.”

Actually, Dohyeon didn’t intend to wake him up. He thought it would be good if Wooyeon got up since he had already opened his eyes, but if he was really tired, Dohyeon was willing to let him sleep again. Of course, even as he thought this, his hand continued to move steadily.

“Keep… uh, touching me…”

“Should I stop?”

Dohyeon said without much sincerity and moved his right hand between Wooyeon’s legs. Wooyeon didn’t seem to mind, as if he had completely given up on going back to sleep. When Dohyeon grasped his erect penis, the omega pheromones burst out.

“Huh…”

Wooyeon, who was particularly pale, had even his private parts lightly colored. For example, his chest area or the tip of his penis. The color was pinkish, and with less body hair, it felt like doing something naughty when holding it in his hand.

“Uh, hng…”

Soon, the pre-cum flowed and moistened the glans. Perhaps because he was sensitive and easily aroused, he reacted strongly to just a little touch. He trembled his shoulders and gripped the bedsheet, not knowing what to do.

Dohyeon adjusted the speed to prevent Wooyeon from ejaculating too quickly. If he came quickly, he would get tired quickly, and that would be disappointing for Dohyeon. Even last night, Wooyeon had come three times before Dohyeon had come once.

“Yeon-ah, try to hold it in.”

It was an unreasonable request, but Dohyeon meant it. However, Wooyeon glared at Dohyeon with teary eyes when he heard that. Dohyeon kissed his eyes and cheeks and brought the condom from beside the pillow.

“…I want to come, hyung…”

“…You only say that at times like this.”

It was quite a bad habit. Normally, he didn’t show any affection (though he was still cute), but on the bed, he would whine and beg as soon as he was teased a little. Dohyeon didn’t dislike that, but it was a problem because it made him lose his composure.

“Just a little, okay?”

Dohyeon soothed Wooyeon and took out his fiercely erect penis. After putting on the condom and positioning himself, Wooyeon instinctively tensed his body. Dohyeon, who had been gently rubbing the area below his tailbone, moved the hand that had been supporting Wooyeon’s head into his mouth.

“You need to relax.”

“Huuu…”

His neat teeth touched his fingertips. When he pressed his middle finger against Wooyeon’s tongue, Wooyeon furrowed his brows. Dohyeon had always noticed that Wooyeon’s mouth was particularly red and hot, giving it an obscene feel.

“If I put it in your mouth…”

It would be incredibly tight.

“Ah!”

The tip of his penis pushed against the entrance. Even though he hadn’t loosened it with his fingers, it was softer than usual. It was because he was already soaked, and because he had been holding Dohyeon’s all night until dawn.

“Huh, uh…”

Dohyeon carefully observed Wooyeon’s reactions as he slowly continued to penetrate. If he showed any sign of pain, he would stop immediately. But this little guy was moaning and wrapping his tongue around Dohyeon’s finger.

“…Ha.”

Even though it was an unconscious action, Dohyeon felt a surge of desire. His rationality snapped for a moment, and at the same time, his thick penis pushed deep inside.

“Ah!”

Wooyeon reached his climax as soon as he was penetrated. After a night of ejaculating, his semen was as thin as water. The hot and tight inner walls clung to the shaft without any gaps, and Dohyeon groaned lowly, furrowing his brows.

“Ugh…”

No matter how many times they had sex, Wooyeon’s insides were always tight. It was because Wooyeon, who never got used to the act, always clenched his lower body tightly every time.

“Ah, huh…”

“Good boy… It’s all in.”

Dohyeon increased his pheromone output and turned Wooyeon’s head. He intended to kiss him and soothe him, but as soon as their eyes met, Wooyeon’s beautiful eyes drooped. They were already moist with tears.

“Hyung… It’s too big…”

Ah, I might develop a bad taste.

To be honest, Dohyeon generally preferred dry sex. He couldn’t imagine leaving marks, and he never rushed to initiate. People might chase after Dohyeon, but he never chased after anyone.

But with Wooyeon, it was different. Just looking at him made Dohyeon want to touch him. He wanted to bite, suck, and leave his mark, even to the point of wanting to devour him whole.

“…Yeon-ah.”

It was severe. Wooyeon might be disgusted with him for being so aggressive.

“Look at me.”

“…”

Wooyeon’s tear-filled gaze met Dohyeon’s. His glistening eyes made Dohyeon’s heart soften. The funny thing was, even as he felt this way, his sadistic tendencies were also stirring.

“Does it hurt?”

“Uh…”

Wooyeon fluttered his eyelashes instead of answering. But as Dohyeon stroked his eyelids, cheeks, and ears with his lips, Wooyeon’s tense body gradually relaxed. Dohyeon gently bit Wooyeon’s earlobe and whispered softly into his ear.

“Still?”

“…No.”

Only then did Wooyeon shake his head. His eyes were still red, but it didn’t seem to be from pain. Everything he said on the bed was either exaggeration or affection, after all.

“I just don’t like this position…”

His whimpering voice was cute. He acted like a child, but when Dohyeon kissed his lips, he obediently offered his tongue. Every little thing seemed cute, which was probably what people called being smitten.

“Do you want to face each other?”

Dohyeon also knew that Wooyeon liked the face-to-face position. He knew it was because he wanted to be held tightly. For Wooyeon, who was not used to pleasure, all sensations must feel frightening, so his feelings were not an exaggeration.

As expected, Wooyeon nodded immediately. As he turned his body to be held, Dohyeon also slowly raised his upper body. Still deeply inserted, Wooyeon let out a soft moan.

“Uhng…”

Thrust, the penis stimulated the inside. Dohyeon leaned his upper body down and kissed Wooyeon’s face repeatedly. Forehead, eyelids, the bridge of his nose, cheeks, and finally his lips. Holding Wooyeon’s slender chin with one hand, Dohyeon turned his head, and Wooyeon placed his hand on Dohyeon’s broad shoulder.

As if that gesture was a signal, Dohyeon pulled his hips back. Wooyeon’s body trembled at the sudden movement, but he did not break the kiss. Dohyeon rubbed his tongue gently and pushed his half-withdrawn penis back in.

“Ah!”

A heated breath escaped. Wooyeon’s slender waist trembled with spasms. With one hand by Wooyeon’s face and the other on his soft cheek, Dohyeon withdrew his penis again.

“Wait, a moment…”

The hand on Dohyeon’s shoulder tightened. Digging his nails into Dohyeon’s back was something that happened often during sex. Today, it felt particularly sharp, which meant it was time to trim his nails.

“It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay… Huh…”

He’s like a cat. Dohyeon thought as he lowered his position. To give Wooyeon time to adjust, he also lightly thrust into the shallow area. Wooyeon shook his head vigorously and protested in a sad voice.

“You said we’d face each other…”

“Ha…”

A laugh escaped unintentionally. Not because it was funny, but because he wanted to tease Wooyeon more. Even though he was not a child, he kept wanting to torment him.

“I am facing you, Yeon-ah.”

“Not like this, I meant… Huh, ah!”

I might develop a bad taste.

Wooyeon’s small face turned bright red. His beautiful eyes lost focus, and sweet moans escaped his throat.

Dohyeon knew he had a perverted taste, but he liked seeing Wooyeon cry on the bed. Normally, his heart would break at the slightest sadness, but the tears shed from overwhelming pleasure stirred something deep within him.

“Ah, hyung, huh.”

He licked the tears from Wooyeon’s eyes with his tongue. As he pushed in to the limit, Wooyeon gasped for breath. Dohyeon tightly held Wooyeon’s waist and buried his face in his shoulder.

A sweet pheromone surged like a wave. Dohyeon was quite dominant, but he was no match for Wooyeon. The pheromone was so stimulating that it filled the air, making him feel intoxicated.

“Huh, slow down…”

“I’ll go slow, it’s okay.”

Dohyeon’s large hand caressed Wooyeon’s upper body. He rubbed his stomach as if soothing a child with a stomachache, then gently moved up to his flat chest. His other hand was still supporting Wooyeon’s head, wrapping around his shoulder.

“Hold onto my arm… There you go.”

Dohyeon savored the touch of Wooyeon’s skin and flicked his protruding nipple. Wooyeon’s body was sensitive to touch, and even the slightest excitement would make him fully erect. Pinching the erect nipple with his fingertip, Wooyeon responded with a peculiar reaction.

“Hng…”

His inner walls tightened. The thrilling sensation made Dohyeon bite down hard on Wooyeon’s nape. Even that was received as pleasure, and Wooyeon trembled, digging his nails into Dohyeon’s arm.

“Huh.”

With a short breath, Dohyeon began to move his hips in earnest. The entrance was now soft and open, and Dohyeon was also at his limit. Besides, Wooyeon had already come and was hard again.

Dohyeon slowly pulled out his penis and stimulated Wooyeon’s sensitive spots. Near the belly button and deep inside. Despite the slow movement, Wooyeon moaned as if he were about to faint.

“Ah, uhng…”

“Do you like it here?”

“No, I don’t… Ah, ah…”

Wooyeon was clearly enjoying it. Dohyeon could tell just by the sounds he made. More accurately, he could tell by the way Wooyeon’s body clenched when he pulled out. In fact, Wooyeon was not skilled enough to hide his pleasure or displeasure.

“Huh… Hyung, no, don’t…”

Thrust, thrust, the thick glans hit the inside. The hand that had been teasing his chest moved down to his lower abdomen, pressing against the bulging belly. A wet, lewd sound echoed with each thrust.

“Hyung, hyung…”

“Yes, Yeon-ah.”

“This, huh… hand…”

Wooyeon grabbed Dohyeon’s hand, not knowing what to do. Shaking his head, it was clear he meant to stop. Understanding that, Dohyeon pushed in to the root and pressed his palm down.

“Ah…”

Wooyeon’s shoulders trembled. Pheromones burst out, and Dohyeon felt Wooyeon holding his breath. Instinctively realizing he was about to reach his climax, Dohyeon pressed his penis firmly against Wooyeon’s prostate.

“…”

Wooyeon came, holding onto Dohyeon’s hand. The semen was even thinner than before, scattering on the bed. Ah, I should have caught it with my hand. Thinking that, Dohyeon hugged Wooyeon tightly, as if to break him.

“…Ugh.”

While Wooyeon was climaxing, his inner walls clenched around the penis as if to cut it off. The sensation of being gripped from the glans to the root was enough to bring a distant joy. Dohyeon, who had stopped moving for a moment, brought the hand that had been supporting Wooyeon’s head to his lips.

“Shh… Breathe, breathe.”

“…Ha, ha…”

Shallow breaths gradually turned into panting. The inner walls that had been tightly clenched also relaxed with a twitch. Feeling the soft penis, Wooyeon bit Dohyeon’s fingertip with his front teeth.

“Ouch.”

It didn’t hurt at all, but Dohyeon reacted for form’s sake. Wooyeon must have bitten out of frustration, but unfortunately, there was no strength in his jaw. He was like a teething child.

“Really…”

The rest of the sentence was obvious. Bad, hateful, or some other deep resentment.

“I won’t do it next time.”

Dohyeon made a promise he couldn’t keep and grabbed Wooyeon’s thigh. Wooyeon, who had been lying limp like a wet sponge, looked up at Dohyeon with blinking eyes. Dohyeon, without pulling out his penis, lifted Wooyeon’s limp leg.

“Huh…”

Wooyeon’s smooth forehead furrowed. His body turned, changing the angle of penetration. From lying on his side to lying flat on the bed. The sudden change in position made Wooyeon’s eyes widen.

“…Why?”

He looked completely confused. Dohyeon smiled thinly at Wooyeon. Cute as always, he thought it was all over when he finished.

“You said you wanted to face each other.”

Thrust, the lower parts pressed together. The still tight entrance accepted Dohyeon more easily than before. Leaning his upper body down to bring their faces closer, Dohyeon carefully brushed back Wooyeon’s sweaty hair.

“I’m not done yet.”

“That’s not how it works…”

Dohyeon spoke as gently as possible, but Wooyeon looked astonished. Despite that, as soon as their lips touched, he obediently wrapped his arms around Dohyeon’s neck. Seeing that cute behavior, Dohyeon felt a tickle in his chest and blew pheromones into Wooyeon.

“Hiss…”

Wooyeon’s flat chest swelled. He wrapped his legs around Dohyeon and clung to his upper body like a koala. Dohyeon expertly supported his back and thrust into the spots that would make Wooyeon feel good.

“Huh, uhng…”

Wooyeon’s moans did not escape his lips. Pheromones, breath, and everything were swallowed up by Dohyeon’s breath. Every time he slowly moved his hips, Wooyeon’s soft tongue twitched.

No matter what, Wooyeon was weak to pleasure. Knowing he could stop if he really wanted to, he pretended to give in. Well, Dohyeon wasn’t sure if he was one to talk about being “pretentious.”

“Ah, huh, uhng…”

It was then that a vibrating sound was heard. They had been so leisurely that their senses had returned just in time. Dohyeon slowly pulled his lips away and locked eyes with Wooyeon.

“…”

“…”

Heated breaths scattered in the air. Dohyeon’s face was reflected hazily in Wooyeon’s beautiful eyes. Dohyeon breathed softly once, twice, and then asked in a low voice.

“…Do you want to answer the phone?”

Regret filled Wooyeon’s eyes. Seeing that, Dohyeon smiled like a fox. Wooyeon hesitated for a moment, then shook his head, his face flushed with excitement.

“Later…”

Their lips met again, and there was no rationality left. As Wooyeon eagerly moved his hips, Dohyeon’s rationality also flew away.

They discovered the missed call from someone named “Danny” about half a day later. It was just another peaceful day.

Sitting by the café window, Wooyeon exuded a summery atmosphere. His slender neck was exposed, and he wore a T-shirt infused with alpha pheromones, along with wide-legged shorts and a watch with the same design as Dohyeon’s.

Dohyeon found Wooyeon’s usual attire particularly irritating today. Perhaps it was because of his pale legs visible under the shorts, or maybe because his neck was as clean as a blank canvas. Either way, it was clear that something was bothering him.

[You lost your phone?]

It sounded like an English listening test. Dohyeon thought to himself as he reached for the drink on the table. He wasn’t particularly hot, but he had been feeling thirsty for a while. He pushed the paper straw aside with his index finger and pressed his lips to the glass. Wooyeon glanced at him briefly.

[Yeah, I finally found it, but the police couldn’t speak English…]

The man sitting across from them showed no interest in Dohyeon. With clear blue eyes fixed on Wooyeon, he smiled brightly. Soon, the man grinned and spoke excitedly.

[That’s how I ended up contacting you.]

The sound of the coffee cup hitting the table was quite loud, but the man didn’t seem to mind and continued sharing his recent updates. Dohyeon traced the condensation on the cup with his finger, silently observing the man.

[I’m really relieved.]

The man had dark, messy blond hair and innocent-looking eyes. He was shorter than Dohyeon but had a threateningly large build. Despite his appearance, which could easily qualify him as a quarterback in American football, his demeanor was incredibly innocent.

“So this is the ‘Danny’ guy,” Dohyeon thought to himself.

Under normal circumstances, Dohyeon would have no connection to this man, but they had been sitting together for the past 10 minutes. Although Dohyeon was looking at the man, and the man was looking at Wooyeon, they were still together.

The reason for this awkward meeting could be traced back to about an hour ago.

An hour earlier, after cleaning Wooyeon up, Dohyeon was drying his wet hair and considering what to have for lunch. It was a hot day, so he thought about getting something nutritious for Wooyeon, who tended to get exhausted after sex. As Dohyeon was contemplating, Wooyeon suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

“Huh?”

His half-closed eyes widened. On the phone, which was in a case given by Seonkyu, there was a name Dohyeon had heard before. Wooyeon immediately pressed the call button and asked the person on the other end.

“Danny? Are you in Korea?”

That question was the starting point of everything. The conversation began with Danny apologizing for not being able to answer the phone because he was busy. Wooyeon said he couldn’t go out right now and glanced at Dohyeon. The conversation was in English, which Dohyeon could understand perfectly. Dohyeon, stroking Wooyeon’s still damp hair, played the role of a generous partner.

“If he wants to meet, I’ll take you.”

In reality, it was a bit of a test. Half of Dohyeon wanted Wooyeon not to go, and the other half was determined to see “Danny.” He was confident that Wooyeon, who was exhausted, would decline.

“…Can I?”

However, Wooyeon nodded eagerly, his eyes filled with anticipation. Seeing that look, Dohyeon couldn’t bring himself to say “no.” He silently grabbed the car keys and put his pheromone-infused T-shirt on Wooyeon.

The two of them, despite their tired bodies, headed to the meeting place with “Danny.” Dohyeon wanted to feed Wooyeon first, but since Wooyeon said he wasn’t hungry, he gave up on that idea. Dohyeon thought he could at least get Wooyeon a cake at the café. Wooyeon, unaware of Dohyeon’s thoughts, started talking about “Danny.”

“Danny can’t speak Korean…”

“When Danny faced discrimination…”

“Danny brought me a suppressant…”

Danny, Danny, and more Danny.

Dohyeon listened quietly until Wooyeon mentioned that “Danny” had helped him through his first heat cycle. At that point, Dohyeon smiled gently and asked casually, tapping the steering wheel.

“By the way… is Danny an omega?”

Fortunately, “Danny” was a beta. Dohyeon felt relieved that Danny couldn’t sense pheromones, but then he remembered the T-shirt he had put on Wooyeon and clicked his tongue. It was a relief, but also not quite.

“I think that’s him.”

The meeting place was a famous café franchise that also existed in the US. There was a wooden sign, and the glass walls allowed a clear view of the customers inside. Dohyeon spotted a foreigner wearing sunglasses and parked the car nearby.

“I’ll wait nearby, so call me when you’re done with your friend.”

“Um…”

Dohyeon even unbuckled Wooyeon’s seatbelt for him, but Wooyeon hesitated instead of getting out of the car. Seeing Wooyeon’s indecisive look, Dohyeon pretended to be reluctant, hoping Wooyeon would invite him along.

“…Do you want to come with me?”

When Wooyeon said that, Dohyeon wanted to cheer but held back. Instead, he gently stroked Wooyeon’s soft cheek and smiled softly.

“It’s been a while since you’ve seen your friend, so I don’t want to intrude.”

He didn’t mean it at all. Since it was a reunion with an old friend, he wanted to see what kind of person “Danny” was.

“It’s okay. He won’t mind.”

Wooyeon tilted his head and rubbed his face against Dohyeon’s hand. He used to be shy, but now he was like a well-trained pet, comfortable with physical affection.

Wooyeon looked up at Dohyeon with clear eyes and suggested, “Let’s meet him together.”

In the end, Dohyeon pretended to give in and got out of the car. Before entering the café, he made sure to ask for “Danny’s” full name. Wooyeon told him it was “Daniel Connor” and added that he could call him whatever he liked.

And so, the three of them were now engaged in a lively conversation over their drinks. Daniel did most of the talking, Wooyeon responded and asked questions, while Dohyeon remained silent. After their initial handshake, Daniel paid no attention to Dohyeon.

[I thought you weren’t answering your phone…]

Wooyeon muttered, and Dohyeon glanced at him sideways. He wanted to ask, “You called him?” but Wooyeon didn’t seem to notice his intent. After all, it wasn’t a big deal to call a friend.

[You called me?]

However, it seemed like a big deal to Daniel. His eyes widened, and he looked genuinely touched. In contrast, Wooyeon shook his head as if it were no big deal.

[I called you when the article came out. I couldn’t host you at my place.]

[Oh, I see.]

Daniel quickly looked disappointed and pouted. He shrugged as if he had expected as much.

[I should have known. You wouldn’t call me without a reason… Wait, you couldn’t host me?]

His face showed shock, as if he had heard thunderous news. His blue eyes darted around uncertainly.

[What am I supposed to do?]

[You should have given me the exact date.]

Dohyeon thought Wooyeon’s cold demeanor was unusual. He occasionally showed indifference, but he was generally sensitive to emotions. This was the first time Dohyeon had seen him draw such a clear line.

[Wooyeon… I’m really starting to feel hurt. Do we need to make appointments to meet like this?]

[As I always say, we do need to…]

“Friends are friends, but it’s a bit complicated.”

So that’s what he meant.

Dohyeon felt a distant sensation as he looked at Wooyeon’s profile. The image of a betrayed expression flashed through his mind, and he vividly recalled the disappointed eyes.

If he hadn’t caught Wooyeon back then, their relationship would have been no different from Daniel’s. They would have had an ambiguous relationship, not caring whether they stayed in touch or not.

“…I don’t trust that teacher.”

Everything went dark. The dark hair, the occasional glimpse of his forehead, the sharp nose, and the pretty lips—he almost never saw them again. The realization was overwhelming.

“…Hyung?”

Dohyeon reached out as if in a trance and stroked Wooyeon’s hair. As he ran his hand down the back of Wooyeon’s neck, the round earlobe turned bright red.

“Why…?”

Despite all the intimate things they had done, Wooyeon’s face turned red from just a touch. Dohyeon had touched him quite intimately, and just a moment ago, Wooyeon had comfortably pressed his cheek against Dohyeon’s palm.

“Is there a problem with your friend?”

Dohyeon casually removed his hand and glanced at Daniel. Wooyeon, who had been as ripe as an apple, covered his ear with his palm.

“Well, I was supposed to host Danny, but since I don’t have a place now…”

“Is that so? In that case, our place is fine too.”

Daniel finally looked at Dohyeon. Dohyeon, with a friendly smile, met Daniel’s gaze.

“We have an extra room, so it won’t be inconvenient.”

“Why would you do that, Hyung?”

Wooyeon shook his head as if to say, “What are you talking about?” His furrowed brow indicated that he thought it was unnecessary. Daniel, who had been looking at Dohyeon with a subtle expression, glanced at him.

[But this guy… is he just a friend?]

A small laugh escaped Dohyeon. It was obvious they were more than friends. The intention behind calling them “just friends” was clear. Daniel had been ignoring Dohyeon and had looked him up and down when they first met. Dohyeon’s sensitive instincts were sending warning signals.

[No.]

However, those warning signals quickly dissipated. Wooyeon, who had regained his composure, fiddled with his watch and bluntly said,

[Boyfriend.]

Ah, so cute. Really.

[…Boyfriend?]

[Yeah, boyfriend.]

He wasn’t bragging. He just stiffly raised his neck and fidgeted with his hands for no reason. And he didn’t miss the opportunity to add,

[We’ve only been together for about three months.]

Dohyeon couldn’t hold back his laughter and covered his mouth. A light cough made the action seem less unnatural. He thought Wooyeon had brought him along to make him jealous, but on second thought, Wooyeon wasn’t that perceptive.

[Today is our 78th day together.]

“You’re so cute…”

It was just like someone who had their first boyfriend. Counting the days they’ve been together and subtly showing off their partner. This wasn’t a meeting to introduce Daniel to Dohyeon; it was to show Dohyeon to Daniel. Realizing this, Dohyeon suppressed his laughter.

“I should celebrate our 100th day.”

I’ve never really paid attention to anniversaries, but if I were with Wooyeon, I wanted to try it. I imagined putting candles on a cake and handing over a small gift, and I thought Wooyeon would like it with sparkling eyes. No, since the other person is Wooyeon, maybe a new experience like a trip would be better than something material.

[…Anyway.]

Wooyeon subtly avoided Dohyeon’s gaze and changed the subject. It seemed that, despite speaking confidently before, he was now feeling shy. Perhaps it was because Wooyeon was four years younger, or maybe it was just his own bias, but there was something undeniably cute about his partner.

[I’ll book a hotel for you, so stay there. How long will you be in Korea?]

Although he couldn’t offer a place to sleep, Wooyeon was offering a place to stay. It was the least he could do, and any normal friend would have appreciated it.

[…Wooyeon.]

However, Daniel muttered with a gloomy expression instead of thanking him. Frowning seriously, he shook his head.

[I want to visit an ordinary Korean home. There are plenty of hotels in the U.S., right?]

It was an inconsiderate and contradictory statement. If he wanted an ordinary home, Wooyeon certainly wouldn’t do. His family’s home, not to mention the penthouse where he temporarily stayed, was far from what anyone would consider “ordinary.”

[And I don’t want to be alone here. It’s so lonely and boring.]

[Daniel… you shouldn’t have come on the trip alone then.]

[What are you talking about? I came to hang out with you.]

Daniel responded boldly, grinning with a childlike innocence.

[I told you I’d come see you, so clear your schedule. Don’t you remember?]

Dohyeon vaguely remembered. The night he brought a drunken Wooyeon home, the words exchanged on the phone in the morning. He couldn’t hear Daniel’s voice, but he could guess the general idea from what Wooyeon had said.

[That aside…]

Wooyeon trailed off, rolling his eyes. Perhaps he felt reluctant to be dismissive since his friend had come all the way from afar. But really, all he had to do was book a place to stay. Dohyeon, who had been trying to hold back his words, glanced out the window.

[Wooyeon, why are you overthinking it?]

Beyond the glass, the colors of a refreshing summer filled the view. Green leaves hanging over, people in light clothing, the slightly harsh sunlight, and cars parked along the street.

Dohyeon suddenly felt an uncomfortable sense of unfamiliarity and frowned. The trees, people, and streets—everything about the peaceful scene felt strangely out of place.

Especially a van with dark tinting.

[Just stay with me in a hotel for a few days…]

He suddenly moved his arm. When he stretched out his large hand, it blocked Wooyeon’s profile. Dohyeon whispered in a lowered voice, keeping his gaze fixed outside the window.

“There’s a reporter.”

The table went eerily silent. Both Wooyeon and even Daniel closed their mouths and looked out the window. They hadn’t been sitting by the window. Dohyeon, muttering, gave a stern warning.

“Don’t look. They’ll take a picture.”

“Ah… it doesn’t really matter.”

“I care.”

Though Wooyeon seemed familiar with such situations, Dohyeon was not at all comfortable with it. Every time he felt the gaze of others, his heart grew uneasy. It didn’t matter if it was just a picture—he couldn’t shake the “what ifs.”

“Let’s move seats first…”

What if the person is strange, or if bad things are said, or if Wooyeon gets hurt because of it.

The endless fears led him to a desire to hide in an unseen place. Wooyeon was precious, and for that reason, he wished he could keep him hidden away, somewhere only he knew.

Ironically, this impulse was not much different from how Suhyang treated him. If Wooyeon ever heard of it, he might even reconsider their relationship in disgust.

[What’s wrong? Is something happening?]

Dohyeon looked at Daniel and then turned his gaze back to the window. Amidst the various thoughts that crossed his mind, only one word came out of his mouth.

“Let’s go home.”

* * *

On the way home, Daniel chatted non-stop. Dohyeon remained silent, focusing on the drive, while Wooyeon, sitting in the passenger seat, occasionally looked back to reply. He seemed to notice that Dohyeon’s mood wasn’t quite right.

[Wow, it’s so high.]

From the moment they entered the apartment complex, Daniel couldn’t stop exclaiming in excitement. He was so thrilled that Dohyeon could barely understand half of what he was saying. There were apartments in LA too, but his fascination with Korea seemed overwhelming.

“Is this all your luggage?”

A small carry-on suitcase, a wallet, and a phone. Despite having flown over ten hours, Daniel’s luggage was remarkably light. Wooyeon’s eyes widened when he saw Dohyeon pulling out the carry-on.

“Are you really planning to have me stay here?”

“Yeah, you said you had nowhere to go.”

“Even so…”

Wooyeon seemed reluctant, but to Dohyeon, this was the best option. He had heard that Daniel didn’t like being alone, but he couldn’t let him stay in a hotel alone. And especially not with Wooyeon, who had been mentioned in connection with the bed.

“Ah, Daniel…”

The moment Daniel’s name came up, Dohyeon felt jealousy flood him like never before. It felt as though sparks were flying in front of his eyes, and his chest burned with a heat that was more than just a passing feeling. It was enough to stir up the deep-seated desires he had hidden for a long time. The emotion felt far stronger than what he had once felt for Taegyeom.