Alpha Trauma Vol. 5 Chapter 4 - Special Extra (4)

Wooyeon, when drunk, always felt particularly warm and pliant. He would cling to Dohyeon with a languid expression, wrapping his arms around Dohyeon’s neck and rubbing against him. Even though he found it difficult whenever Dohyeon went deeper, he would still entwine their legs together as if it wasn’t enough.

“…Ah, teacher, hnn….”

“Teacher? Not Hyung?”

“N-no, Hyung… Hyuung….”

Dohyeon wrapped an arm around Wooyeon, who was clinging to him, and pushed his length in slowly. He could feel the soft entrance, loosened from earlier, tightening around him with every inch. The overwhelming pleasure that shot through him made his vision flash white.

“Ah! Hnng, ugh…!”

Wooyeon squirmed as Dohyeon thrust deeply. Along with it came a flood of pheromones, pouring out like rain. Wooyeon’s cock, already spent once, twitched and stood stiff again as if it had never been otherwise. Although the intervals between orgasms were longer due to the alcohol, he was clearly on the verge of another climax.

Wooyeon’s slim, pale shaft, so delicate it almost felt improper to hold, made Dohyeon feel like he was doing something mischievous. The problem was that since meeting Wooyeon, Dohyeon had developed a taste for such “mischief.” Though he’d never had a penchant for teasing or tormenting anyone, seeing Wooyeon beg and whimper awakened something in him.

“Ah…!”

As expected, it didn’t take long for Wooyeon to climax again. It happened as Dohyeon moved his hips a few more times and stroked Wooyeon’s flushed shaft with his hand. Wooyeon shuddered, spilling into Dohyeon’s palm, gasping for breath as his thighs quivered.

“Hah… hnn….”

His half-lidded eyes were drowsy with exhaustion. Since Dohyeon didn’t enjoy waking up drunk people for no reason, he pressed a soft kiss to Wooyeon’s forehead before picking up the pace. He wasn’t satisfied with just this round, but it wasn’t like they had to rush—after all, tomorrow was the weekend.

“Teacher… hnn… Hyung….”

“Yes, Yeon-ah… huh….”

Whether he was saying “teacher” or “Hyung” was unclear. The mixture of titles spilling from Wooyeon’s lips made Dohyeon chuckle. You’re too cute, he thought, indulging in his lovesick admiration.

When Dohyeon finally leaned down to kiss Wooyeon again, the pleasure reached its peak. As his body convulsed in release, Wooyeon suckled on Dohyeon’s tongue, greedily soaking in his pheromones. The more Wooyeon absorbed, the sweeter his own scent became, filling the air around them.

“…Are you sleepy?”

“Yeah… I wanna sleep.”

“Alright, let’s sleep.”

When everything was over, Dohyeon took on the usual task of cleaning up. He disposed of the condom, straightened the bedding, and cleaned Wooyeon thoroughly before dressing him in fresh clothes. Meanwhile, Dohyeon himself only pulled on a pair of pants before lying down. As expected, Wooyeon nestled against him, using Dohyeon’s arm as a pillow.

“Goodnight, Yeon-ah.”

“You too, Hyung….”

Wooyeon’s murmured reply trailed off before it could finish. He quickly drifted into sleep, while Dohyeon kissed him twice more and buried his face in Wooyeon’s fragrant hair, chuckling softly at the overwhelming warmth of contentment.

***

Since they started living together, weekends followed a familiar routine. They woke up late, had breakfast (usually prepared by Dohyeon), watched movies, or drank tea on the terrace. Sometimes, if the weather was nice, they’d go out for a drive, typically visiting secluded spots, enjoying good food, and returning home with satisfied smiles.

When Wooyeon had assignments, Dohyeon helped him. On those occasions, Wooyeon would look at Dohyeon with an especially eager expression. It was because Dohyeon resembled a “teacher” to him, though it was rather unfair that Wooyeon would ignite such thoughts and then remain focused on his studies without a second glance.

“So here…”

With midterms approaching, this weekend saw Dohyeon acting as a “teacher” again, helping Wooyeon with his assignments. Though no longer a student himself, Dohyeon’s thorough school experience helped him easily take on the role of a reliable Sunbae. Sitting side by side, Dohyeon jotted notes with a mechanical pencil as he finished explaining something.

“Does that make sense now?”

“Yes, it does.”

Wooyeon nodded, taking the notebook to review it carefully. He then continued jotting down notes from where he’d left off. His Korean handwriting was still messy, but his English was as neat as his handsome face. Knowing it stemmed from Suyang’s strict upbringing made it harder for Dohyeon to simply find it endearing.

“Oh, right.”

Wooyeon broke the silence, speaking up as he diligently worked. Dohyeon assumed he’d hit a snag in his studies, but Wooyeon’s next words had nothing to do with the task at hand.

“Yesterday, at the drinking party…”

“Yeah?”

Dohyeon glanced at him. Wooyeon hesitated, his expression awkward as he furrowed his brows. He fiddled with his earlobe, his eyes darting around as though gauging Dohyeon’s mood.

“Someone asked for my number.”

“…”

Dohyeon’s lips twitched, the subtle movement unnoticed by Wooyeon. Keeping his gaze lowered, Wooyeon continued speaking slowly.

“Of course, I said no, but then they asked if I’d have just one drink with them….”

“And?”

“So, thinking they might get persistent, I just poured them a drink and sent them on their way.”

Dohyeon understood. That was probably the best way to handle it. He knew that even if he were in Wooyeon’s position, he’d likely do the same—avoiding unnecessary conflict by offering a drink and moving on.

“…I see.”

Yet, despite knowing all this, Dohyeon felt his mood plummet in an instant. His irritation bubbled to the surface, spilling over as a quiet sigh. Not because of Wooyeon’s story, but because it reminded him of his own arrogance—how he’d once claimed he could handle jealousy.

What a joke. How could he stay composed when just thinking about it made his blood boil?

“You don’t have to tell me about every little thing like that.”

“…”

The words came out colder than intended, catching Wooyeon off guard. He looked up at Dohyeon, startled. Realizing his mistake, Dohyeon immediately softened his expression, hurriedly backtracking.

“Yeon-ah, that’s not what I meant…”

“Got it.”

The response was simple—so simple it felt refreshingly candid. Wooyeon, who had been calmly watching Dohyeon, slowly turned his head toward the desk.

“I don’t misunderstand.”

And that was it. Wooyeon, as if he hadn’t been startled moments before, went back to focusing on his studies. Yet his downcast eyes, tightly shut lips, and the hand gripping his mechanical pencil all seemed distinctly dispirited.

“…”

This crazy jerk.

Dohyeon bit his lower lip, feeling as though his heart was sinking. He wanted to explain himself, but Wooyeon had already gone back to concentrating, as if to signal he wasn’t willing to hear more.

It was a disaster—an absolute catastrophe of a weekend.

***

Monday, after the disastrous weekend. The only sound in the spacious lecture hall was the professor’s voice. Perhaps due to the lingering effects of the weekend, most students were nodding off, and even the rest looked bleary-eyed.

Wooyeon sat with his chin in his hand, blankly staring at the professor standing at the podium. Something about the 18th century, something about the 19th century. The droning explanation barely registered in his ears. He was halfheartedly taking notes, but his classmate beside him glanced at his notebook and asked:

“…Wooyeon, what are you even writing?”

“Oh.”

Only then did Wooyeon look down at his notebook. The scrawls, as messy as worms wriggling around, were so illegible that even he couldn’t decipher them. To make things worse, Dohyeon, who would usually share his notes, wasn’t even on campus. He’d been zoning out all day.

“Let me copy your notes later.”

“Huh? Sure.”

When Wooyeon murmured his request, the classmate readily nodded but gave him a puzzled look. It seemed odd that Wooyeon, who rarely slacked off, was so out of it today.

Ignoring the look, Wooyeon outright set his pen down and let out a deep sigh. Resting both hands on his chin and lowering his head, he let the thoughts that had been swirling in his mind resurface—those moments from the weekend that he had replayed over and over again.

“Sunbae, what are you doing this weekend?”

The source of his dilemma went back a few weeks to when a freshman in the club had blatantly started hitting on him.

“Then, Sunbae, would you like to go to an amusement park with me?”

He’d known for a while that the freshman was interested in him, but he hadn’t figured out how to put an end to it. While he could easily turn someone down coldly, doing so might hurt the club’s atmosphere.

So, he had tried drawing a clear line. However, that didn’t work on the freshman, who had just turned 20. Whenever Wooyeon distanced himself, the freshman would flinch briefly, only to come back smiling and even closer than before. Honestly, it was annoying, tiresome, and eventually even a bit exasperating.

Fortunately, the freshman had recently left the club—right after meeting Dohyeon in person. Maybe they’d been overwhelmed by Dohyeon, or maybe they’d finally decided to give up. Whatever the reason, the outcome was ideal.

Still, there was one problem.

The day Dohyeon had asked him about his plans with the freshman, Wooyeon had vented all his frustrations. Dohyeon, listening quietly, had gently touched Wooyeon’s cheek and asked:

“But why didn’t you tell me?”

Wooyeon had frozen. While he hadn’t meant to keep it a secret, it could’ve easily come across that way. Actually, he had intentionally not mentioned it. If that had made Dohyeon upset, Wooyeon didn’t have any excuse.

“Just let me know next time, okay?”

Thankfully, Dohyeon had been understanding and mature about it. Although he’d shown a brief look of disappointment, he hadn’t seemed angry or let down. Wooyeon, once again, had been struck by how kind Dohyeon was and had fallen even more for him.

Afterward, Wooyeon had deliberated. How much should he share with Dohyeon? Lately, more people had been approaching him, as if the spring breeze had coaxed them out.

In the end, he’d decided to tell Dohyeon everything—just as he would’ve wanted Dohyeon to tell him everything in a reversed situation.

“…You got someone’s number?”

But maybe that had been a mistake. The more Wooyeon confessed, the worse Dohyeon’s expression had become. Sometimes his sharp eyes would subtly twist, and other times his lips would tighten into a chilly line.

Eventually, Dohyeon had said:

“You don’t have to tell me every little thing like that.”

Wooyeon couldn’t deny being momentarily surprised—or even a bit hurt.

But in hindsight, he had to admit, “I have been sharing too much.” If he found it awkward to even say those things aloud, how must Dohyeon have felt hearing them? The fact that Dohyeon hadn’t thought he was exaggerating or lying was a relief in itself.

So, his negative feelings didn’t last long. He had known Dohyeon for years now, and Dohyeon wasn’t the type to get angry over trivial matters.

“Yeon-ah, that’s not what I meant…”

It seemed more like jealousy. Wooyeon understood that—how could he not? He felt the same way whenever someone showed interest in Dohyeon or asked about him. When the freshman had seen Dohyeon for the first time, Wooyeon had even worried they’d start pursuing him instead.

“Got it.”

So, he’d conveyed everything in a single word. That he understood Dohyeon’s feelings, and that he knew Dohyeon wasn’t actually angry.

“I don’t misunderstand.”

It was the absolute truth. While he’d focused on studying to cover his embarrassment, he didn’t blame Dohyeon.

But now, a new question plagued him.

Where was the line?

Wooyeon didn’t know how to do things in moderation—whether it was loving, looking, or hiding. He’d always followed Dohyeon around without restraint. But trying to learn to hold back now? He didn’t even know where to start.

He decided to put himself in someone else’s shoes. What if someone at Dohyeon’s company kept hitting on him? Someone from another department coming over to ask for his number, or pulling stunts like asking him to pour drinks at a company dinner?

“…Wooyeon?”

“Ah…”

Suddenly, Wooyeon crumpled the notebook in his hand. Under the concerned gaze of his classmate, he awkwardly straightened the paper. Not that he’d ever actually use those notes, but he didn’t plan on tearing them up either, so the whole situation felt a little silly.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Wooyeon answered softly, fidgeting with his left earlobe. The unpleasant feeling brought on by the mere thought quickly dissipated when he imagined Dohyeon smiling at him. Teachers must encounter things like this often, and Dohyeon was probably good at turning people down.

“…”

…But did it happen often?

“We’ll take a short break now.”

Just as Wooyeon was deep in thought, the professor wrapped up the lecture and left the classroom. He mentioned there’d be about a 10-minute break for everyone to wake up a bit or use the restroom.

“I’m going for a smoke… Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine, really. I just dozed off for a bit.”

“Oh, okay then. Take a quick nap; I’ll wake you when I get back.”

After sending his classmate off with a vague response, Wooyeon let out a small sigh and rubbed his face with his hands. Just imagining it upset him, so wouldn’t it be better not to know at all? Ignorance is bliss, after all, isn’t that what they say?

“…But how do you hide something like that?”

Unfortunately, Wooyeon wasn’t skilled at hiding things. He couldn’t even imagine keeping a secret from the sharp-eyed Dohyeon forever. If he ever let something slip by accident, or if another classmate told Dohyeon about it… Then it would only be a matter of time before Dohyeon found out.

What was he supposed to do in situations like this?

As someone dealing with this kind of conflict for the first time, Wooyeon had no idea how to handle it. He wanted to vent to someone, but that didn’t mean he could talk to just anyone.

“When does Seonkyu get discharged…”

Wooyeon pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts. Unfortunately, his closest friend, Seonkyu, was in the military. Though soldiers could use their phones these days, it was only after their workday ended. Seonkyu was set to be discharged within half a year, but casual back-and-forth messaging still wasn’t feasible.

The next person to come to mind was Garam. Despite her easygoing demeanor, Garam always took such matters seriously. However, Wooyeon couldn’t bring himself to bother a perpetually busy graduate student with his dating problems.

Danny, who lived abroad, was physically out of the question, and besides, Wooyeon didn’t want to share relationship concerns about “the teacher” with him. For a moment, Jina crossed his mind, but she was also a university student likely swamped with exam preparation. He could still vividly recall how thrilled she’d been last year when she finally got into her dream school and department after a year of traveling.

“…”

After much deliberation, Wooyeon finally noticed a name in his contacts and pressed his lips together. Could he really do this? He hesitated for a moment but felt like he was grasping at straws.

The contact he selected was saved as “Minjeong Noona.”

***

It was Minjeong he called, but for some reason, Seongjae tagged along. Heading to the café near campus at the agreed time, Wooyeon immediately spotted the two of them and approached. Minjeong’s small frame made Seongjae look even more like a bear by comparison.

“Wooyeon’s here?”

“Oh, Wooyeon! Have a seat, have a seat.”

Even though it had been a long time since they’d met, the two welcomed Wooyeon without any awkwardness. Seongjae, in particular, fussed over whether Wooyeon had gotten thinner in the meantime. Quietly, Minjeong took Wooyeon to the counter, ordering the drink and three slices of cake he had picked out.

“Shouldn’t I be treating you?”

“Huh? Why would you?”

Since he’d been the one to ask to meet, Wooyeon naturally intended to pay, but Minjeong only laughed it off. She joked that a student wouldn’t have money, leaving him at a loss for words.

“…Are all of these mine?”

When they sat down, Minjeong casually slid all the cake plates over to Wooyeon. He should’ve been suspicious when she ordered three slices in the first place. Assuming it was one per person, he hadn’t thought to ask, but it turned out they were all for him.

“Yep, Dohyeon said you like sweets. Don’t you?”

“Oh, I do, but…”

“If it’s too much, just leave some.”

“Exactly, this is the time to indulge.”

With even Seongjae chiming in, Wooyeon quietly picked up his fork. It wouldn’t be polite to keep refusing, and truthfully, three slices of cake was no problem for him. He only held back because he didn’t want to gain weight.

“Noona and Hyung, you should have some too.”

“We will,” Minjeong replied breezily, though it didn’t seem likely she’d actually eat. The same went for Seongjae, who was supposedly dieting. Perhaps that’s why he only had a cup of tea in front of him, something he normally wouldn’t even drink.

“Start with the strawberry one. I heard you like strawberries.”

“Did Dohyeon Hyung tell you that too?”

“No, Garam did.”

Minjeong explained that she and Garam kept in touch from time to time. In their university’s close-knit music department, it wasn’t unusual for seniors and juniors to maintain contact. Garam was now a teaching assistant, and Minjeong a graduate, but their connection remained intact.

For similar reasons, club gatherings often included even older alumni. Minjeong and Seongjae were regular attendees, which naturally led to Wooyeon getting to know them. While Minjeong had been friendly from the start, Seongjae grew close enough to him through drinking games with Seonkyu to be called “Hyung.”

“Now that you’ve started eating, take your time and talk it out.”

Just as Wooyeon finished the strawberries on his cake, Minjeong gently prompted him. Seongjae, meanwhile, stared gloomily at his teacup. When Wooyeon looked up blankly, Minjeong offered her signature bright smile.

“You asked to meet because you wanted to talk about something, right?”

“Eh?”

The one who reacted in surprise wasn’t Wooyeon but Seongjae. Wooyeon couldn’t deny it and awkwardly lowered his gaze. He had only asked for some time when he reached out, but it seemed they had figured out there was something he wanted to talk about.

“When a junior wants to meet up, it’s obvious. You’re not at the age to get married, nor the age to sell insurance. So it’s either a cult or some kind of concern. You’re not here to evangelize, right?”

“I don’t believe in that stuff,” Wooyeon replied awkwardly. It was true—when a junior who hadn’t been in touch suddenly asked to meet, their intentions were usually clear. But it seemed Seongjae hadn’t been informed in advance. He leaned in close to whisper to Minjeong in a lowered voice.

“Hey, you knew and still brought me along?”

“You insisted on coming.”

“I wouldn’t have come if I’d known it was for a consultation!”

They were clearly trying to keep their voices down, but Wooyeon could hear every word of their conversation. Seongjae glanced around sheepishly, muttering that he just wanted to join Wooyeon for a casual meet-up. Feeling a pang of guilt, Wooyeon quickly waved his hands.

“It’s fine! Actually, I think it’s better with you here, Hyung.”

“Wooyeon-ah…”

It was just a simple comment, but Seongjae looked utterly moved. He seemed to have heard “I like you, Hyung” instead of “It’s better with you here.” His big, gentle eyes even glistened as if they might fill with tears.

“It’s not like it’s some big secret…”

Even though Wooyeon wasn’t inclined to gossip, he figured Seongjae would be fine. He was close to Dohyeon, understood the dynamic between them, and most importantly, seemed like a good person.

“Seongjae is surprisingly good at giving advice for stuff like this,” Minjeong said calmly before leaning forward as if she didn’t want to miss a word. “So, tell us what’s on your mind. Is it about your career? Or love?”

“Well…”

The options had been narrowed down to two. Although she wasn’t exactly asking him to choose, one of them was indeed the answer. Like a well-behaved student, Wooyeon replied honestly.

“Love. It’s about love.”

“Love? Wooyeon-ah, that’s my specialty!”

Seongjae proudly pointed at himself with his thumb, exuding confidence. Minjeong chuckled quietly, but Seongjae, evidently basking in his own pride, didn’t notice.

“It’s not really a big deal…”

Before delving into the story, Wooyeon cautiously prefaced his words. He didn’t want them to misunderstand his relationship with Dohyeon. As he fiddled with the fork in his hand, he began speaking slowly.

“There was a new freshman recently…”

The story Wooyeon shared ended up being much longer than he had anticipated. Not because the situation itself was complicated, but because he wanted to avoid any misunderstandings. He recounted everything in detail—the freshman who made a pass at him, the people who had asked for his number, and even what happened at the bar.

Minjeong and Seongjae listened attentively, occasionally reacting to his words. By the third time Wooyeon mentioned being flirted with, even Seongjae looked taken aback. Minjeong quickly eased his confusion with a single comment: “Just look at his face.” Seongjae nodded in instant understanding.

“When I was drinking with my colleagues, I didn’t want to make a fuss, so I just poured the drink and sent them away. But when I told Dohyeon Hyung about it, he said not to bother telling him every little thing like that.”

“That’s so mean of him.”

“Seriously, Dohyeon is so mean.”

To be honest, their comments weren’t very helpful. No matter what Wooyeon said, they unconditionally sided with him. They called Dohyeon petty, said older guys shouldn’t act that way, and even labeled him a thief.

Eventually, Wooyeon found himself muttering awkwardly.

“…It’s not that bad.”

Was it really something to criticize him so harshly for? He hadn’t intended to badmouth Dohyeon, and now that Minjeong and Seongjae were defending him so adamantly, Wooyeon felt a little guilty. Had he exaggerated the situation too much?

Minjeong playfully winked at him.

“I know, I’m just teasing.”

It didn’t feel like a joke, though. Wooyeon raised his eyebrows skeptically but didn’t retort. Minjeong smirked as she took a sip of her coffee.

“But still, you felt upset with Dohyeon, didn’t you? Love consultations are all about siding with the person asking for advice.”

“Exactly, exactly.”

Despite claiming to be an expert on love advice, Seongjae nodded solemnly. Wooyeon let out a small, exasperated laugh, prompting Minjeong to flash him a gentle smile.

“And you should tell Dohyeon if you’re upset with him. What’s the point of venting to us?”

Her tone wasn’t accusatory—just soft and understanding. It was a kind suggestion, and Wooyeon hesitated before speaking again.

“I wasn’t upset, really…”

“Really not upset?”

“…I was upset. Just for a moment.”

It truly had been just a moment. Although the emotions had flared up again as he recounted the story, Wooyeon had ultimately been venting.

“Then let him know you felt upset. He’s probably aware of it already.”

“….”

This wasn’t the kind of consultation he had intended to have. Yet, Wooyeon couldn’t bring himself to deny it outright. He hesitated, glancing around nervously, before cautiously asking:

“Is it okay to feel upset… about something like that?”

Seongjae’s eyes widened in disbelief. Wooyeon quickly added,

“No, I mean, really. Hyung wasn’t angry with me or anything, and I know he didn’t mean it in a bad way. I’d feel uncomfortable too if someone was showing that much interest in him. But still…”

But was it okay to feel upset? Over something so minor? Dohyeon hadn’t done anything wrong. It was just a single comment.

“Wooyeon, is this your first time dating?”

“Yes.”

Wooyeon responded promptly to Seongjae’s question, feeling as though his insecurities had been exposed. Feeling defensive, he countered, “Why? Is that a problem?”

Seongjae immediately shook his head.

“No, it’s not that. I’m just surprised.”

“…Because I seem like the type to play around?”

“Uh… usually because you’re good-looking?”

Wooyeon didn’t deny it. He didn’t find the comment offensive, but he felt the need to correct a misunderstanding.

“I’m not popular.”

Hearing this, both Seongjae and Minjeong wore expressions of disbelief. Seongjae blinked his usual wide eyes, speaking in a bewildered tone.

“Didn’t you just tell us you’ve been asked for your number…?”

“That’s….”

True, his earlier story sounded like the lament of someone overwhelmed by too much attention. However, Wooyeon felt that the kind of “popularity” he was describing was entirely different. Perhaps some of those people were genuinely interested in him, but most were likely not. They probably approached him because of his family background or had seen him online and decided to take a shot.

“…Anyway, I’ve never been in a relationship.”

Not wanting to get into the specifics, Wooyeon brushed the topic aside. The two exchanged glances before looking at him with unreadable expressions.

It was Minjeong who broke the curious silence.

“If Dohyeon’s dating someone four years younger, he should be pampering you.”

Blinking, Wooyeon turned his gaze to her. Minjeong pushed her long hair behind her ears and softened her expression.

“I’m saying it’s okay to feel upset. Go ahead and be a little needy with him.”

“Exactly. At your age, that’s how relationships are supposed to work,” Seongjae agreed, nodding seriously.

“You don’t have to suppress your feelings. If something’s bothering you, talk about it and resolve it. Relationships aren’t just logical—you’re allowed to act on emotion too.”

The advice seemed both sensible and nonsensical at once. Acting emotionally? What if Dohyeon found it annoying and grew tired of him? Especially since Dohyeon was more mature, Wooyeon didn’t want to come off as childish.

“It’s fine, really. Everyone’s like that with someone they love,” Seongjae reassured him, grinning as if he had read Wooyeon’s mind. He even added, “Dohyeon will probably like it if you do.” It wasn’t the most convincing remark.

“Are you two like that with your partners?” Wooyeon asked.

“Me? I don’t have one,” Seongjae replied.

“…You don’t?”

“Yup, I don’t.”

This time, it was Minjeong who answered. Wooyeon blinked incredulously, prompting her to smirk playfully.

“So, is that what your problem was? Feeling upset?”

“Ah, no…”

Realizing he had veered off course, Wooyeon shook his head. His original question had nothing to do with being upset. He could manage his own emotions—it wasn’t what he needed advice on.

“So, I’m not sure how much I should tell Dohyeon… or where to draw the line.”

Finally, he brought up his real concern. It was a question Wooyeon had been mulling over endlessly, one that seemed impossible to resolve on his own.

“I mean, I can’t exactly ask him where that line is, right?”

Was it okay to mention being approached for his number but not the part about pouring drinks? Then what about the coffee and Post-it notes left for him at the library? Or the people who joined his club just to be closer to him? He almost wished for some sort of answer key to guide him.

“Ah, that kind of thing… you usually figure it out with experience or intuition,” Seongjae muttered, hesitating as he scratched the back of his head.

“If this is your first relationship, that’s probably hard. Stuff like that takes practice.”

“Will it get better with time?”

“Probably?”

If experience was key, Dohyeon must have had plenty. In their time together, Dohyeon had never once upset him—not even slightly. Whenever Wooyeon felt the faintest hint of disappointment, Dohyeon seemed to sense it immediately and smooth things over.

“I see…”

“You’re not planning on gaining experience by dating someone else, are you?” Minjeong suddenly asked, looking suspicious.

“How could I?!”

There’s only one Dohyeon. Unless they broke up and got back together—a scenario Wooyeon absolutely didn’t want—there was no way to accumulate more “relationship experience.”

“Good, because I was about to call Seongjae crazy for suggesting it,” Minjeong said with a dry laugh.

“Hey, that’s not what I meant!” Seongjae protested, flailing in mock distress. “If your boyfriend overheard this, he’d glare daggers at me!”

“He’d probably chew you out too,” Minjeong added.

Dohyeon? Chew someone out? It was almost unimaginable. The closest Wooyeon had ever come to hearing him swear was when Dohyeon had teasingly repeated English curse words Wooyeon had said in jest.

“Even long-term relationships count as experience,” Seongjae clarified hastily. “And for now, don’t go into too much detail. Keep it simple, and if he asks, explain then.”

Minjeong nodded, concisely wrapping up the conversation. “Being 100% honest isn’t always the best solution. Most people go through the same struggles and figure it out as they go.”

Though not a definitive answer, the advice eased Wooyeon’s mind. It was comforting to realize he wasn’t uniquely bad at relationships—this was just a learning curve.

“If you’re really unsure, just ask him directly. Personally, I’d find that adorable,” Seongjae added with a grin.

“That’s just you being indulgent,” Minjeong teased.

“Hey, Dohyeon’s even worse with him, isn’t he?”

“True…”

Minjeong smirked knowingly. Dohyeon’s tendency to spoil Wooyeon was well-documented, leaving the latter unable to refute the statement.

“Seriously, though, Dohyeon’s being unfair. Asking you to share and then suddenly telling you not to? That’s messed up.”

“Right? Get it together, Dohyeon.”

With that, the conversation wound down as the two traded jabs at Dohyeon’s expense. They weren’t genuinely upset, of course—it seemed more like their way of lightening Wooyeon’s mood.

Oddly enough, it worked. Though their style of “relationship advice” was unconventional, Wooyeon found himself smiling faintly. In the end, it wasn’t so bad having them on his side.

“Seriously, it’s not that bad…” Wooyeon murmured, shaking his head with a small laugh.

***

Even after their “consultation” ended, the three lingered in the café, chatting idly. Since they’d met after dinner, there was no need to change venues. During that time, Wooyeon polished off the cake Minjeong had bought him and had to politely decline her offer to buy another before they parted ways.

The weather had grown quite warm, but the days were still relatively short. By the time Wooyeon finished meeting with Minjeong and Seongjae, the sun had already set, and the sky was completely dark as he walked home. Taking his phone out of his pocket, Wooyeon strolled along the quiet night streets at a leisurely pace.

On the phone, there was a message from Dohyeon asking when he’d be home. It was a reply to the earlier message Wooyeon had sent before meeting Minjeong and Seongjae, mentioning that he was going to have dinner with a classmate. Feeling a bit guilty for the delay, Wooyeon sent a quick reply.

“Hyung, I’m on my way home now…”

Dohyeon had mentioned earlier that he’d be working late today, so he was probably still at the office.

Should I ask when he’ll be back? Wooyeon considered it for a moment but then locked his phone and put it back in his pocket. He decided it was better to just wait quietly, knowing Dohyeon was likely busy with work. They could talk once he got back.

***

The walk home didn’t take long—too short a time for Dohyeon to reply to his message. When Wooyeon opened the front door, he was greeted by a familiar pair of shoes at the entrance.

“Huh?”

Blinking in surprise, Wooyeon quickly stepped inside with a delighted expression.

“Hyung!”

Sure enough, Dohyeon was in the living room. He had just come out of the shower, a towel draped around his neck as he checked his phone. Hearing Wooyeon rush over, Dohyeon instinctively opened his arms.

“You’re back?”

“Yes, I’m back.”

Wooyeon answered obediently, diving into Dohyeon’s embrace. Ah, the familiar scent of his teacher. The fresh, breezy pheromones reminiscent of autumn winds filled him with a subtle sense of euphoria. The gentle hint of shampoo and soap was pleasant too, but Dohyeon’s pheromones were, without a doubt, the most comforting.

“Didn’t you say you’d be late today?”

“I finished early.”

Dohyeon laughed softly and rubbed his cheek against Wooyeon’s hair. Realizing belatedly that Dohyeon had showered while he hadn’t, Wooyeon awkwardly tried to pull away, but Dohyeon only tightened his hold, smiling faintly.

“You smell like coffee.”

“Oh, I just got back from a café…”

It was a place that brewed its coffee beans fresh, so it must have clung to his clothes. Considering how long they’d stayed there, it wasn’t surprising. What caught him off guard was Dohyeon’s casual but pointed question.

“Who did you meet?”

“Well…”

Wooyeon started to say “Minjeong noona” but abruptly stopped. The reason was simple—he wasn’t confident he could explain why he’d met her. They weren’t close enough to just meet up casually, and admitting he’d sought advice from her seemed a bit too honest.

“…Just, someone.”

So instead, he muttered a vague answer, realizing a moment too late that he could’ve just said he met a friend for dinner and went to a café. By then, the moment had already passed.

“Is it someone I don’t know?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Then who?”

Unsurprisingly, Dohyeon wasn’t satisfied with such a half-hearted reply. His curious gaze held a faint trace of hurt, making Wooyeon instinctively respond in an indignant tone.

“…Do I have to report every little thing?”

At that, Dohyeon’s expression hardened momentarily. Feeling a sudden rush of frustration, Wooyeon slipped out of his embrace. He could feel Dohyeon’s sharp gaze following his movements, but all he could manage to say was:

“You’re the one who said I didn’t have to tell you everything.”

“…”

“You said it yourself, didn’t you?”

Ah, this is such an immature thing to do.

“Weren’t you upset?”

Minjeong’s earlier words flashed through Wooyeon’s mind. Along with the hesitant yet honest reply he’d given her back then:

“…I was upset. A little.”

A little? More like a lot.

It seemed he’d been far more hurt than he realized. Despite pretending to be understanding, rational, and mature, it had clearly stung enough to spill out in such a petty way now.

“…I’m going to shower.”

Unable to endure the awkward atmosphere any longer, Wooyeon turned and left the room. He heard Dohyeon call softly, “Yeon-ah,” but he pretended not to hear and kept walking. He had a nagging feeling that staying any longer would only lead to an unnecessary outburst.

***

Thankfully, the warm water helped soothe Wooyeon’s frayed nerves. Once his head cooled down, embarrassment crept in. Guilt soon followed as he realized he’d snapped at Dohyeon for no good reason. Even Seongjae had advised him not to sulk but to talk things out.

I’ll apologize when I get out. I need to make it clear that I didn’t mean it like that. And as for meeting Minjeong and Seongjae… Hmm, I’ll share just enough.

Resolving to handle things properly, Wooyeon stepped out of the bathroom and returned to the living room. Dohyeon was still there, seated quietly on the sofa. As soon as Dohyeon saw him, a familiar gentle smile spread across his face.

“Come here, I’ll dry your hair.”

There wasn’t much room for conversation while Dohyeon blow-dried his hair. The warm air gently brushed against his scalp as Dohyeon’s hands skillfully worked through his damp hair. Over time, Dohyeon had grown quite adept at this task, which had become a near-daily routine since they started living together.

“It’s done… Your first class is early tomorrow, right?”

“Yes, I need to wake up early.”

“I’ll wake you up before I leave.”

Dohyeon glanced at the time and planted a quick kiss on Wooyeon’s damp hair. Once wild from dyeing, Wooyeon’s hair had grown back to its natural state over the past two years. Now, he only got regular trims, steering clear of dye or perms.

“Let’s go to bed. You must be tired.”

After stroking Wooyeon’s hair until he was completely relaxed, Dohyeon gave him one last kiss and helped him up. Wooyeon trailed after him into the bedroom, and they slipped under the covers together, Dohyeon holding Wooyeon close.

“Goodnight.”

Wooyeon didn’t reply, instead wriggling to hug Dohyeon back. The warmth of his body and the comforting scent of his pheromones filled Wooyeon with a deep sense of contentment.

“…”

Then, it hit Wooyeon. In the haze of Dohyeon’s touch, he’d completely forgotten to clarify what he’d said earlier, apologize, or even explain himself.

It was too late now. By the time he realized, Dohyeon was already fast asleep.

***

Timing, they say, is everything in life—whether confessing feelings, reconciling, or meeting and parting with someone. Without the right timing, opportunities slip away, and what’s lost is often irretrievable.

Wooyeon had learned this lesson firsthand while being with Dohyeon. From the time he’d been bullied and met Kim Dohyeon, his teacher, to their reunion in college, and even the sudden accident that led to their brief separation—it was all the work of fate’s timing.

And yet, now, it seemed he had completely missed that timing.

Wooyeon sighed softly, scribbling aimlessly with his mechanical pencil on his notebook. At the front of the lecture hall, Garam, her long hair tied back, was passionately explaining something. She had entered near the end of the first class, asking the professor’s permission to promote what seemed to be a graduate seminar or a special lecture.

But Wooyeon was barely paying attention. His mind was stuck on last night’s events, when he’d sulked about being asked who he met and then failed to explain himself, letting the whole matter slide awkwardly.

Is Hyung okay?

As far as Wooyeon could tell, Dohyeon seemed perfectly fine. That morning, he’d woken him with the same gentle, kind smile and even kissed him twice. Before leaving for work, he had hugged him tightly, looking genuinely reluctant to part.

If anything, he seemed even more affectionate…

Dohyeon hadn’t seemed upset. If anything, his demeanor was softer, even sweeter than usual. His cheerful smile was so endearing that Wooyeon had almost clung to him, begging him to stay home instead of going to work.

But why…?

Something felt off, but Wooyeon couldn’t put his finger on it. The only explanations he could think of were: either Dohyeon genuinely wasn’t bothered by what happened, or he hadn’t realized that Wooyeon had been sulking.

“…”

No way. That’s impossible. This is Kim Dohyeon we’re talking about.

Dohyeon had once confidently declared, “I’m good at picking up on things.” True to his word, he had a knack for noticing Wooyeon’s feelings before anyone else—even before Wooyeon himself sometimes.

For such a perceptive person to act as if nothing happened and just let it go… The conclusion Wooyeon arrived at was clear.

He’s pretending not to notice.

It wasn’t that Wooyeon wanted him to be overly clingy, but his indifference was unsettling. Even if Dohyeon wasn’t deliberately ignoring him, his silence was noticeable. Whether it was an act of acceptance or avoidance, Wooyeon couldn’t tell.

What if… he finds me annoying…?

“Wooyeon.”

“…”

Startled, Wooyeon flinched and looked up. At some point, Garam had approached and was now holding out a piece of paper.

“Here, an application form. You absolutely have to attend this.”

The paper was labeled Special Lecture Application Form, listing the lecture schedule and the credentials of the guest speaker—a Korean University English Literature graduate now working as a full-time employee at a major corporation. None of it was particularly enticing to Wooyeon. He frowned, glancing up at Garam.

“…Why do I need to attend this?”

Major corporation graduate? He saw someone like that every day at home. If he wanted to learn more about corporate structures, he could just visit his family. Garam, who knew his situation better than anyone, seemed oddly insistent on him attending this lecture.

“Hey, have I ever recommended something bad to you? Trust me, you won’t regret this.”

Garam spoke in a tone so mischievous it only made Wooyeon more reluctant. She even threw in a wink, which, if anything, had the opposite effect.

“This thing is super competitive, but I’ll make sure you get in. You’ll do it, right? Huh?”

“No thanks. If it’s so competitive, let others take it…”

Something about it didn’t seem competitive at all. The timing was particularly inconvenient—Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 4 to 6 p.m. It felt like nothing more than an additional, unofficial class after lectures.

“Just attend. If you don’t fill this out, I’ll do it for you.”

“…Do I really have to?”

“Yup.”

“You’re just trying to fill the quota, aren’t you?”

“Ugh… How can you doubt my pure intentions?”

Garam feigned exasperation, but Wooyeon wasn’t convinced. Pure intentions, my foot. It was clearly some scheme by the school to avoid embarrassing the guest speaker with an empty room.

“Just try it once. If you hate it, I’ll pull you out. They even give out snacks.”

In the end, Wooyeon reluctantly filled out the application under Garam’s persistent urging. It wasn’t difficult, and with her going to such lengths, it felt hard to refuse. Plus, the timing coincided with when Dohyeon would still be at work.

“I’m only going once.”

“Sure, sure. Whatever you want.”