Alpha Trauma Vol. 5 Chapter 3 - Special Extra (3)

Moreover, if you think about it that way, the fault didn’t lie solely with him.

“…Isn’t this also on you and Seongyu?”

At Dohyeon’s casual remark, Garam and Seongyu’s expressions turned slightly awkward. They blinked blankly for a moment before clearing their throats with a soft cough. Both tried to act indifferent, but they couldn’t hide their subtle delight.

“Well, that’s true. We’re definitely to blame, no doubt.”

“That’s right, noona. It’s our fault too.”

Their grinning faces didn’t irritate Dohyeon, so he simply took a sip of beer. Meanwhile, Wooyeon was still sound asleep, leaning against his shoulder, unaware of anything.

Dohyeon didn’t think this little guy had changed solely because of him. That would be nothing short of arrogance, conceit, and an incredibly presumptuous delusion.

Of course, he had contributed in some way. But at the same time, he couldn’t deny that Wooyeon had built new relationships and that those people had positively influenced him. Not just Seongyu and Garam, but even the film club members and, at one point, Jina. Ah, and before all of them, there was Daniel.

“Wooyeon’s popularity is something I can’t help but understand, but it’s been a bit much lately.”

They say everyone experiences a period of explosive popularity at least once in their life. It seemed like that time had come for Wooyeon. Or perhaps Wooyeon had always been like this, and Dohyeon simply hadn’t noticed. According to Daniel, even back in the U.S., there were plenty of Alphas who flirted with him.

“If you’re that jealous, just tell Wooyeon to look serious more often. He’s good at that.”

“That’s true. Wooyeon is scary when he puts on a serious face.”

To Dohyeon, Wooyeon always seemed adorable, but he was aware that his blank expression could create a chilly atmosphere. More accurately, he appeared distant rather than sulky. It was on a whole different level.

“How can I ask someone who’s always smiling to do that?”

“Always smiling? Are you serious about saying that while dating him?”

Garam replied as if she couldn’t believe what she’d just heard, though it wasn’t a serious remark. Seongyu, seeing how earnest Dohyeon looked, probably just tried to come up with a solution. But really, the aura someone gives off isn’t something that changes with just their expression.

“What did your previous partners say about it?”

At Garam’s question, Dohyeon glanced at her while she poured herself some soju and shrugged.

“Hey, you’re quite popular yourself. You even smile everywhere you go, which makes it worse.”

“…Do I smile everywhere?”

“That’s just a figure of speech.”

Wooyeon would call it a fake smile. It was amusing how even such meaningless smiles could lower people’s guard.

“I bet the people you dated had their share of struggles too.”

“…”

Did they? Dohyeon pondered quietly, retracing his memories. He mainly dated older partners, most of whom were too busy with their own lives to invest 100% into the relationship. Whenever they became slightly bothersome, a bit of distance was enough to make them back off.

“I’m not really sure.”

Perhaps they did struggle, but that wasn’t his problem. If they had worried about the same things he was now, then that, too, was an issue. Every one of his past relationships had eventually ended in a breakup.

“Wow, what a smug jerk…”

Garam shot Dohyeon a disgusted look. Seongyu didn’t go as far as to criticize him but added, “Hyung… you seem like a bit of a bad guy,” with a hint of disapproval.

“But Hyung, aren’t you asking the wrong people for advice? Neither Garam noona nor I have ever dated someone that popular.”

“Hey, I have!”

“What?”

“‘What?’ Seriously, this guy…”

Listening to their playful bickering, Dohyeon finished the rest of his beer. Although he’d mixed in a bit of soju, it wasn’t enough to get him drunk, just enough to mellow his mood slightly. Luckily, his mood lifted when Wooyeon, still asleep, let out a soft groan.

“Someone’s happy.”

Garam teased him as she noticed his softened expression. Catching on, Dohyeon awkwardly tried to regain his composure, though it was too late.

“Or maybe you should listen to Seongyu’s suggestion and find someone else to consult. Is there anyone suitable?”

“Didn’t you say you’ve dated someone popular before, noona?”

“Seongyu, can’t you read the room?”

Garam playfully pressed down on Seongyu’s head, teasing him about his buzz cut. After roughly ruffling his hair, she suddenly turned to Dohyeon.

“Hey, what about Yunwoo oppa?”

“Yunwoo hyung?”

It was an unexpected name. Garam nodded with a proud expression, as if she’d just come up with the perfect idea.

“Yeah, isn’t he the guy who dated the campus king and managed to survive university life? They must’ve fought over stuff like this too.”

It made sense. In fact, during a festival when they’d run a booth together, a similar issue had come up.

“They dated successfully and even got married, so consider him your life senior and ask for advice.”

Last fall, Taegyum and Yunwoo had tied the knot amidst much celebration. Dohyeon had attended the wedding, drawing inspiration from the couple’s happiness. But asking Yunwoo for “relationship advice” felt too awkward.

“Yunwoo hyung isn’t really…”

“Why? You guys don’t get along?”

Garam asked curiously, clearly puzzled as to why Dohyeon would be picky about who to consult. Dohyeon hesitated, looking uncharacteristically uneasy.

“It’s not that we don’t get along…”

I used to have feelings for him.

The words lingered unspoken, dissipating into the air. Back during his freshman year, for barely a month, Dohyeon had harbored feelings for Yunwoo. It was such a fleeting memory that he rarely thought about it unless prompted. But Dohyeon clearly remembered liking Yunwoo.

Looking back now, he suspected it wasn’t Yunwoo himself but his unwavering affection for Taegyum that had drawn him in. Dohyeon, who had always felt a void, saw Yunwoo’s love as something that could fill that emptiness.

Even if his feelings were genuine at the time, they were different from the love he now had for Wooyeon.

Still, he didn’t intend to deny those past emotions. He wasn’t ashamed of who he’d been then, and since he’d done his best, he had no regrets. There were no lingering attachments, and Yunwoo likely felt the same. Heck, Yunwoo probably didn’t even remember that Dohyeon had liked him.

So honestly, that insignificant past itself didn’t really matter.

The only thing that bothered him was:

‘Where did you start listening?’

‘…I just heard it from the beginning.’

At a drinking gathering with his sunbaes after a long time, Wooyeon had overheard the conversation between him and Minjeong—specifically, the part about how he had once liked Yunwoo, albeit briefly. Even then, Dohyeon hadn’t tried to confuse Wooyeon, but there was nothing he could do about hurting his feelings.

Although they hadn’t brought up the incident since that day, Wooyeon surely remembered the conversation with Minjeong. With his sensitive and delicate nature, he wouldn’t just forget it as easily as some indifferent person.

If he were to seek advice from Yunwoo and Wooyeon found out about it…

“…”

The very thought of it made Dohyeon feel like a piece of trash, so he swallowed a sigh in silence. After all, he had already faced consequences once for keeping a secret from Wooyeon. He didn’t want to hide anything from him anymore. Nor did he want to upset him just for the sake of easing his own mind.

Besides, wouldn’t that be an act of disrespect? Not only toward Wooyeon but also toward Yunwoo’s spouse, Taegyum.

“Anyway, Yunwoo hyung is out of the question.”

“Hmm…”

At his firm answer, Garam hummed deeply, stroking her chin. Since Kim Dohyeon had made it clear, there was no point in insisting further, but she still seemed to believe it was a good idea.

After mulling it over for a moment, Garam flashed a bright smile, revealing her teeth, as if she had come up with an excellent alternative.

“Then how about the King of Business?”

* * *

“…”

“…”

In a restaurant with soft music playing in the background, an unusual silence lingered over a table. The atmosphere between the two men in suits wasn’t that of lovers or mere friends but something curiously ambiguous.

“So…”

One of them, a man with a striking appearance, slowly broke the silence. He let out a dry chuckle, as if he couldn’t quite believe it, while looking at the junior sitting across from him. His smile, filled with disbelief and amusement, carried into his voice as he spoke.

“You reached out to me?”

At Taegyum’s question, Dohyeon, sitting opposite him, awkwardly lifted his glass of water. He took a sip before putting the glass down and meeting Taegyum’s gaze.

“I had no other choice.”

‘Then how about the King of Business?’

At first, Dohyeon had thought Garam was spouting nonsense again when she made that suggestion. But the more he thought about it, the more it seemed like a solid idea.

After all, Taegyum was the perfect fit in every sense. He was someone who, despite constantly dealing with the jealousy-inducing popularity of his partner, always managed to maintain a smooth and successful relationship after their feelings had aligned. He was also a “life sunbae” with years of experience to back it up.

In the past, Dohyeon wouldn’t have considered reaching out to him. Though their relationship was amicable enough (Minjeong even claimed Taegyum found him “adorable”), they weren’t close enough to exchange personal messages. While he might have sought advice from Minjeong or Sungjae, Taegyum had been little more than a ghost member of their club.

But Dohyeon was desperate enough to endure the awkwardness. Ever since Garam had asked if his previous partners were ever unaffected by his behavior, the thought had haunted him. It wasn’t about being jealous and burning himself out; the real concern was whether Wooyeon would eventually find his behavior annoying.

That’s why he had reached out to Taegyum, requesting a consultation whenever he had time. Surprisingly, Taegyum had agreed without much fuss, leading to their current meeting.

“The youngest’s personality has really changed.”

“It’s been ages since I was the youngest.”

He wasn’t the youngest in their group anymore, let alone a junior in the broader sense of their circles. It had been six years since he last carried that title.

“Once the youngest, always the youngest, they say.”

“Didn’t Sungjae hyung say that?”

“No, that was Minjeong.”

Without much enthusiasm, Taegyum replied as he glanced around. In the center of the hall stood a grand piano, and outside the window stretched a breathtaking cityscape. The scene, perfect for a romantic date, didn’t quite suit their current meeting. Taegyum frowned slightly, his expression showing mild discontent.

“Why here, of all places?”

It was as if he was saying, Why do I have to come to a place like this with you? Dohyeon couldn’t entirely disagree. While he had chosen this spot to avoid something as mundane as a café, a bar might have been more comfortable for talking.

Still, the choice of this restaurant wasn’t without intent.

“A colleague recommended it. I wanted to check it out before bringing Yeon here. He’s got picky tastes, so I need to test it first.”

“Ah.”

In short, Dohyeon was using Taegyum as a guinea pig. While he expected mild displeasure or an incredulous reaction, Taegyum surprisingly accepted the explanation without protest, even nodding in understanding.

“Well, yeah, you wouldn’t want to serve him something bad.”

With that, Taegyum opened the menu, scanning it with a serious expression. Seeing this, Dohyeon also picked up his own menu.

“I’ll pay for this. Would you like some wine? They say it’s pretty good here.”

“No, I’m fine. Just order whatever you were recommended, as long as it’s not raw.”

“What, did you drive here?”

If their conversation dragged on, a glass of wine might be nice. Given his typically strong tolerance, Dohyeon wondered why Taegyum was abstaining. The answer, however, wasn’t what he expected.

“No, Yunwoo’s pregnant.”

Casually dropping the bombshell, Taegyum flipped another page of the menu. A soft smile tugged at his lips, likely as he thought of his spouse.

“If Yunwoo can’t drink, then I shouldn’t either.”

Ah, that’s right—it must’ve been about eight months by now. Their wedding had been in the fall, but the baby was due in late spring, prompting everyone to jokingly call Taegyum a thief. Of course, it was all in good fun, and most felt the wedding had been long overdue.

“And I guess I’m getting old because I don’t enjoy drinking as much these days.”

It felt strange to hear this from someone who used to drink like a fish. Then again, Dohyeon remembered how Taegyum had even experienced morning sickness on Yunwoo’s behalf during the early stages of the pregnancy. Considering the fuss he had made, quitting alcohol didn’t seem all that surprising.

“Drink if you want. I’ll stick with a soft drink.”

“Well, I was considering trying a bit of it…”

Wooyeon liked subtly sweet drinks, so it wouldn’t have been a bad idea to taste-test them in advance. But ordering a whole bottle just for that seemed a bit much, especially with lighter plans following this meeting.

“I won’t drink either. I have to pick him up later.”

Two men eating a meal at a restaurant without drinking? It felt like an oddly wholesome meeting. The thought amused Dohyeon, who let out a soft laugh and tapped the steak option on the menu with his finger.

“Then let’s get a main dish… By the way, Hyung, are you the one who can’t eat raw food?”

“No, it’s not me. Yunwoo can’t.”

“…?”

Did he even adjust his eating habits to match his spouse’s? The thought made Dohyeon glance at him curiously, only to see Taegyum wearing a mischievous smile. His lifted lips exuded confidence—bordering on smugness.

“If it’s good, I’ll bring him along next time.”

It was clear he was exploiting this outing to scout for a suitable place. Surprising, given his demeanor, but fatherhood seemed to have softened him. Unlike his prickly nature in college, where everyone except Yunwoo bore the brunt of his sharp edges, he now exuded a calm maturity.

Dohyeon ordered a well-recommended steak, along with pasta and a light salad. Although he hadn’t ordered drinks, he made a mental note of a strawberry-based beverage for later, just in case.

As Dohyeon browsed dessert options after placing their order, Taegyum casually struck up conversation.

“Does that cute one like desserts?”

“…”

Dohyeon froze for a second, his brows furrowing. It wasn’t because his dessert intentions were uncovered but because of Taegyum’s use of that term.

Who gave him permission to call Wooyeon cute? Although annoyed, Dohyeon responded calmly.

“Not just desserts… He likes anything sweet. I was planning to test something out later.”

Dohyeon himself rarely touched desserts, so it would be ideal if Taegyum joined in sampling them. Judging by Taegyum’s current mood, he might even pick out something Yunwoo would like.

“He’s got a real kid’s palate, huh?”

Taegyum chuckled lightly and pointed at a chestnut cake on the menu. “Try this one later,” he suggested. Dohyeon mused briefly—perhaps Yunwoo liked chestnuts—before Taegyum, catching on to his irritation, clarified with a smirk.

“When I said ‘cute,’ I didn’t mean I thought so. Yunwoo just seems very fond of him.”

It was an excuse for sure, but a valid one. Yunwoo had doted on Wooyeon since his assistant days. The man, infamous for not remembering faces, had recognized Wooyeon right away.

And two years later, Dohyeon finally learned why.

“He said Wooyeon reminded him of me. Do you think so?”

“That’s just… ridiculous. Please don’t say things like that.”

Dohyeon almost snapped, calling it disgusting, but managed to hold back. Yunwoo Hyung really said something like that? What possible similarity could exist between this robust man and Wooyeon?

Their small talk continued as they waited, and before long, the food arrived. The dishes were better than expected, and both men ate in silence for a while. Halfway through, Taegyum finally broke the quiet.

“Alright, let’s hear it.”

Fork set down, he tilted his head slightly.

“You said you had something to discuss.”

“…Hm.”

Dohyeon let out a low hum, setting his fork down as well. He’d been holding off on broaching the topic, but now seemed like the right moment. After all, Taegyum had waited patiently.

“It’s not a serious problem or anything.”

Prefacing his words with a disclaimer, Dohyeon took a small breath before beginning.

“It’s just… he’s too popular, like, excessively so.”

What started as a concise explanation quickly grew more detailed than he intended, spilling into an emotional vent laced with frustration and resignation.

Surprisingly, Taegyum listened intently, nodding occasionally with light affirmations like, “Right,” “Makes sense,” and “I get it.”

“It’s ridiculous. Who comes to school to flirt? And even after hearing he’s taken, suggesting he cheats? How is that okay?”

“Yeah, there are some crazy people out there. So then?”

“And so…”

This was something he couldn’t admit to Garam or Sun-kyu. It felt too petty, childish, and immature—even to him.

Yet somehow, the words flowed effortlessly to Taegyum. Maybe because he was older, or because Dohyeon didn’t feel the need to maintain any image with him. Or perhaps it was the faint hope that Taegyum would understand.

“He tells me about it all the time, and while I appreciate the honesty, it happens so often it’s frustrating. But I can’t tell him to stop—it’s not what I want either.”

At his grumbling, Taegyum raised an eyebrow, an almost amused expression on his face. You even find that cute? his look seemed to say. However, he didn’t tease, instead nodding in understanding.

“Still, it’s sweet that he tells you. Yunwoo didn’t, and we ended up fighting over it once.”

“You two actually fought?”

“Just the one time.”

Taegyum added offhandedly that it wasn’t even a proper fight. Apparently, it had been over a coworker. Considering their usual harmony, Dohyeon guessed it had lasted only a few hours at most.

“So how did you make up?”

“There wasn’t much to resolve, honestly. I just tiptoed around, thinking Yunwoo was mad.”

Taegyum let out a soft laugh at the memory, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly.

“And they say relationships grow stronger after a storm.”

It was a cliché and not one Dohyeon found particularly convincing.

“But it did feel a lot better after we talked things through.”

Taegyum didn’t seem to be trying to persuade Dohyeon, merely sharing his own experience. The casual way he then asked made it clear.

“Have you two ever fought?”

“We…”

There were moments in the memories he had carelessly revisited. Back when Wooyeon and he first started dating. The moment everything he had kept hidden out of fear came crashing down.

‘…I can’t trust you.’

“…”

For no reason, a sharp ache lingered in his chest as he furrowed his brow and swallowed dryly. It was all in the past now, but whenever he thought back to that time, his heart would race irregularly. It was a mixture of guilt towards Wooyeon and the sense of loss he had felt at that time.

“They fought. Just once.”

They fought so badly that they even broke up, but he didn’t say that part out loud. Taegyum, not wanting to pry further, simply asked casually.

“Didn’t things get better after that?”

Why wouldn’t they? After that incident, he resolved all his conflicts with Wooyeon. He opened up about everything, and Wooyeon’s presence became an immense comfort. He thought that, in the end, his presence had been a source of comfort for him too.

“See? If things are resolved, it’s fine again.”

If things are resolved… Yes, that damn ‘if’ is the problem. Problems arise for everyone, and what matters is the solution, but he didn’t know what the solution was, and that’s why he came to Taegyum for advice.

“I know it’s not his fault. He doesn’t act in a confusing way…”

A sigh escaped him as he ran his hand through his hair. The neat hairstyle he had set this morning had loosened throughout the day.

“I can handle the jealousy.”

That part was half a lie. Sometimes, he couldn’t help but boil with jealousy. But when that happened, just holding Wooyeon in his arms made everything calm down, so this little bit of bravado wasn’t too bad.

“But he’s anxious.”

“…”

“He’s anxious… and doesn’t know what to do.”

Yes, this was the problem. The more people approached Wooyeon, the more he was loved by everyone, the more anxious he became. Even though he knew it was unlikely, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of urgency, afraid that someone might steal him away.

“It’s always like that.”

Taegyum answered his worry with a single sentence. His tone didn’t sound indifferent; it seemed more like a resigned, self-mocking one.

“The more you like someone, the more anxious you get.”

If the magnitude of affection is proportional to anxiety, then soon, he might be consumed by his feelings. The more he liked Wooyeon, the more his anxiety grew. According to Taegyum, he would continue feeling anxious.

“Does Taegyum feel anxious, Hyung?”

“Me?”

He asked, and Taegyum blinked in surprise. Then, he smiled brightly and stretched out his left hand.

“I’m not anxious anymore.”

The ring on his ring finger gleamed. Damn it, he thought, as he gulped down his water. As the waiter refilled his glass, Taegyum chuckled and spoke again.

“I’m not anxious… but I do feel bad. It annoys me.”

“…Hmm.”

He quietly sympathized. If he were married to Wooyeon, he would feel unpleasant if anyone tried to flirt with him. Jealousy was a different emotion from anxiety.

“But that’s something you can’t help. You’re not going to lock him up at home, are you?”

If he could, he would. But realistically, that would never work. Wooyeon wasn’t a flower, and keeping him locked up at home wouldn’t make him bloom.

“You’re lucky, Hyung. Yunwoo Hyung works from home.”

Taegyum had fewer opportunities to meet people, so he meant it half as a joke. Taegyum didn’t deny it and just smiled. His next sentence seemed to be advice to him, or maybe a self-affirmation.

“You have to bear with it.”

“…”

A smile slipped from his lips. He was right. If you want to be with the person you love, you have to endure it. Especially when you meet someone who’s precious to you and precious to others.

“The reason you feel anxious is because you’re afraid they’ll meet someone better than you, or get tired of you, or you’ll lose them.”

Taegyum listed the sources of anxiety with his fingers. All of them were correct, but the first two felt slightly different from his feelings. He became certain of that as soon as he heard Taegyum’s question.

“Is he the type to cheat?”

“Never.”

Wooyeon was too honest to secretly cheat. He was so pure that he couldn’t bring himself to do that. Besides, he knew better than anyone that Wooyeon liked him more than anyone else.

So, it wasn’t because he was worried that Wooyeon might meet someone else.

“Then why is he anxious?”

“…”

He quietly retraced the fundamental reasons for his anxiety. He dissected the vague feelings he had been carrying around, carefully examined them, and tried to figure out when they had started and why he was feeling such a sense of crisis.

And in the end, everything came down to one thing.

“…What if someone better comes along?”

“…”

“Then what’s left for him to hold onto?”

He always thought Wooyeon was too good for him. He wasn’t just talking about material things or circumstances, but his uprightness and purity. Even his difficult younger brother had become friends with him after meeting him once, so he could tell just how charming Wooyeon was.

He was lucky. Maybe even a stroke of good fortune.

Hadn’t he said it before? He chose Wooyeon out of all the people in the world, but Wooyeon had chosen only him. What if another option appeared? What if there was someone who seemed better for Wooyeon than him? Could he still be so greedy for Wooyeon?

He would have to admit that he wasn’t sure. Once, his presence had been a comfort to Wooyeon, but it was also him who had caused him pain afterward. Even if it had been an unavoidable choice created by the circumstances, his immaturity had hurt Wooyeon.

But Taegyum cut through all his worries with a single sentence. He said it so coldly and carelessly that it felt like a sharp slap across his face.

“Then you need to become a better person.”

“……”

Dohyeon clamped his mouth shut, caught off guard. Taegyum was still gazing at him with calm, steady eyes. Those light-colored irises felt as though they could see straight through him.

“Better person, you say… Are you sure you can let him go without clinging?”

He couldn’t answer. That lack of confidence—the inability to let go—was exactly what upset him so much. He knew he should wish for Wooyeon’s happiness, but he couldn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t act pathetic when that kind of future actually came to pass.

“Kim Dohyeon, you’re hopeless. Saying such unconvincing things.”

Though it sounded playful, Dohyeon knew it wasn’t a joke. Only now did he realize how cornered he’d felt over the past few days. The changes in environment and circumstances had stirred a deep anxiety: what if relationships could change just as easily?

“They say you told Yunwoo. That Yunwoo and I think too much.”

“…I did?”

Had he really said that? He couldn’t remember clearly. Knowing how complicated the seniors’ minds were, it might’ve been something he mentioned in passing.

“But it seems like you’re the one overthinking right now.”

Taegyum spoke with an infuriatingly relaxed and yet gentle tone. At times like these, the five-year age gap between them felt strikingly obvious.

“Did he say he wants to leave for someone better?”

“Of course not.”

There wasn’t even a moment’s hesitation. Wooyeon probably thought Dohyeon, the man he was dating, was the best person in the world. Just as Dohyeon considered himself lucky to be with Wooyeon, he knew Wooyeon felt the same. That’s what made it all the more precious—and all the more guilt-inducing.

“Don’t jump to conclusions on your own. A relationship is something both people build together.”

Perhaps being married really did give someone a different perspective. Dohyeon looked at Taegyum with newfound respect. Though he had always thought Taegyum was a fitting partner, he hadn’t expected him to give such earnest advice.

“You’ve changed a lot, Hyung.”

“Well, I am over thirty now.”

Taegyum’s casual response came as he picked up his fork. Seeing him scoop up some pasta onto his plate, Dohyeon figured the conversation was wrapping up. Just as Dohyeon was about to pick up his own utensils, Taegyum suddenly asked,

“Does he get jealous about things like that?”

“Well…”

He did. A lot, actually.

“He does. Quietly, but he’s pretty jealous.”

“Does he ever feel insecure?”

“He used to, but not anymore.”

Dohyeon had worked tirelessly to reassure him. These days, Wooyeon hardly worried about Dohyeon leaving. Just as Dohyeon didn’t fret about Wooyeon cheating on him.

“Then think about it from the opposite perspective. If Yeon…”

“Wooyeon.”

“Fine, Wooyeon. If he said he’d let you go because someone better came along, how would you feel?”

“……”

Dohyeon’s face stiffened as he stared at Taegyum. His dark eyes grew icy.

“Why are you glaring at me?” Taegyum smirked and tilted his head as if to say, See? That’s what I mean.

“See? You’re like that too.”

Put yourself in his shoes. Just imagining it left a chill in his chest. A scenario where Seon Wooyeon gave up on him was one of the last things Dohyeon ever wanted to see.

“If he hears what you’re thinking, he’ll get angry too.”

“……”

Angry. Yes, he’d be angry. He’d be upset, hurt, and maybe even disappointed.

“Treat him well. So you won’t regret it.”

With that, the two of them ate the rest of their meal in silence. Taegyum had said all he needed to, and Dohyeon needed time to sort out his thoughts.

By the time their plates were empty, Dohyeon’s expression had softened.

“Thanks, Hyung. I feel a bit better now.”

It wasn’t a fundamental solution, but it helped him calm his mind. If anything, it made him want to marry Wooyeon even more.

Taegyum smiled faintly at Dohyeon’s expression.

“This is the best part.”

“Don’t talk like some old man.”

“Well, I am a married man. That makes me an old man, right?”

No one would dare call Taegyum “old.” He wasn’t even at the age where it would make sense. Ignoring Dohyeon’s exasperation, Taegyum gestured toward the menu.

“Order some cake.”

The dessert was nothing special. While the meals were freshly prepared by the chef, the cakes seemed to be store-bought. The taste was fine, but if he were going to treat Wooyeon, he’d rather get something better elsewhere.

Taegyum paid the bill, brushing off Dohyeon’s attempts to contribute. “Save that money to buy Wooyeon something nice,” he said firmly. He didn’t seem to hear or care when Dohyeon corrected him—“It’s Wooyeon, not Yeoni.”

“Let me know if you find another good place. Thanks for the meal,” was all Taegyum said before urging Dohyeon to go pick up his boyfriend. Dohyeon glanced at the time and hurried off.

* * *

“How long have you been waiting?”

Dohyeon had barely arrived at the spot Wooyeon had texted him when he spotted him leaving a pub with his colleagues. Wooyeon’s message had read, [I’m heading home now.]

Dohyeon pocketed his phone and spread his arms wide.

“Yeon-ah.”

As if trained, Wooyeon trotted over and buried himself in Dohyeon’s embrace. Though he seemed surprised Dohyeon had come, he didn’t hesitate to nuzzle closer. Leaning heavily against him, Wooyeon smelled faintly of alcohol and pheromones.

“Ugh, so gross!”

“How are we supposed to live without a lover?”

“Oppa, you haven’t changed a bit.”

Wooyeon’s colleagues, who knew Dohyeon, playfully teased him while the rest of the group exchanged skeptical looks. Dohyeon ignored them, tightening his hold on Wooyeon. The warmth pressed against him was all that mattered. Wooyeon peeked up at him, his eyes soft and trusting.

“Didn’t you say you had plans?”

“Yeah, they ended early.”

Dohyeon had already told Wooyeon he was meeting Taegyum. If asked why, he was prepared to say it was just to catch up, but Wooyeon had only given him a mildly curious look without pressing further. Instead, he simply mentioned his own gathering with some friends, sharing the time and place.

“If your boyfriend’s out drinking, you’ve got to pick him up.”

With a grin, Dohyeon released Wooyeon from his arms. He wanted to keep holding him, but with so many eyes around, it wasn’t ideal. Instead, he laced their fingers together, and Wooyeon, who had looked disappointed, softened his expression.

“Then I’ll take Wooyeon now.”

“Get home safe, Hyung.”

“Bye, Oppa!”

“See you on Monday, Wooyeon!”

“Yeah, see you!”

Wooyeon waved to his friends while holding Dohyeon’s hand tightly. The gentle sway of his arm hinted at his slightly slower-than-usual movements.

As they walked, Dohyeon glanced down at Wooyeon’s round head and asked softly, “Did you drink a lot?”

“…Just a bit?”

A vague answer. It wasn’t clear whether he meant he drank just a little or just a little too much, but the sheepish smile on his face suggested the latter.

“How much did you drink?”

“I’m not sure… A little soju and…”

Dohyeon wasn’t asking to scold him, so Wooyeon obediently listed the drinks he’d had, mentioning a new fruit-flavored soju he tried, which he liked but his friends found too sweet.

“That much.”

“Good, you paced yourself.”

From the sound of it, he hadn’t drunk enough to black out, just enough to feel pleasantly tipsy. Back when he was twenty, Wooyeon had made a few mistakes figuring out his limits, but he had since learned to manage himself well.

The only “problem” was that alcohol made him excessively adorable.

“Did you drink, Hyung?”

“Do I seem like I did?”

“Um… no, I don’t think so.”

Wooyeon shook his head slowly, his sleepy, half-lidded eyes a little more unfocused than usual.

“But you’re good at drinking, so…”

Even though Wooyeon rarely showed when he was tipsy, Dohyeon could always tell. His slight clumsiness and relaxed demeanor were giveaways, and with a little coaxing, he’d laugh at almost anything. Of course, he also had a habit of pretending to be fine as his face grew pale, which was its own kind of problem.

“Did you curse in English tonight?”

“…I fixed that habit.”

“Shame, it was cute.”

The pub wasn’t far from their home, and the warm weather made the walk through the night streets feel pleasant. Their hands swung slightly between them, and the bounce in Wooyeon’s step showed his good mood.

“…Hyung.”

As they left the bustling streets for the quieter residential area, Wooyeon tugged on Dohyeon’s hand. When Dohyeon stopped and turned to him, Wooyeon clutched at his own shirt collar with his free hand.

“Kiss… me.”

“….”

“I want a kiss.”

Dohyeon leaned down as if enchanted, forgetting to check if anyone was watching. His lips brushed against Wooyeon’s, a soft smack echoing faintly in the stillness of the night. Their eyes met briefly, and before Wooyeon could lower his gaze, Dohyeon cupped his cheek.

Their fingers stayed laced as Dohyeon leaned in again. Their breaths mingled as warm lips pressed firmly together, moving slowly, deeply.

The mild night air felt heavy between them. While the evenings were still cool, the heat from their contact spread outward, as if igniting Dohyeon’s nerves. He couldn’t tell if it was the faint scent of alcohol or the pheromones coming from Wooyeon, but he felt lightheaded, intoxicated. Not that it mattered—Dohyeon always felt this way when they kissed.

It wasn’t a brief kiss. Dohyeon had only planned to give Wooyeon a quick peck, but once their lips met, he couldn’t bring himself to stop. He’d spent the day aching to see Wooyeon, so now that he was here, he couldn’t help indulging.

“…I love you.”

The whispered confession made Wooyeon blink hazily and wrinkle his brow—not in displeasure, but from the lingering shyness such words brought. His reddened eyes and blushing ears revealed exactly how he felt.

“…I know.”

The reflexive response came out of habit, but the real answer followed, just like always.

“I love you too.”

Wooyeon had learned to express himself more openly since they began dating, even if his cheeks burned and his gaze faltered.

“Let’s get home.”

Dohyeon, finding him unbearably endearing, pressed another quick kiss to his lips before they resumed walking. Their hands remained firmly clasped all the way to the home they shared.

Of course, Dohyeon thought part of it was Wooyeon’s fault. Every time he tried to help clean him up, Wooyeon would flinch openly or, conversely, offer to help clean Dohyeon and end up touching him here and there. Without realizing how much restraint Dohyeon was exercising, Wooyeon would subtly press his bare skin against him, all while pouting and acting cute.

“Ugh, hnn….”