The Muse Chapter 13 - Baek Sihoo

Sihoo was well aware that his life was far from one led by a clean conscience. After all, if he had been a conscientious person, he would never have flirted with Yoo Yejun. Whether Yejun smoked or not, whether his face was neat and pleasant to look at or not—it didn’t change the fact that he was much younger, and no morally upright person would feel sexual desire toward someone so young.

Having come to terms with this truth long ago, Baek Sihoo didn’t feel much guilt about his relationship with Yejun. At most, he occasionally let out a dry chuckle, thinking he might be out of his mind.

It’s annoying.

But now, Baek Sihoo was feeling a new sense of discomfort. Confronting the prickling sensation in his chest, he thought to himself again.

It’s irritating.

The source of his irritation stood not far away—a man who held his hands politely and remained silent. His face appeared composed at a glance, but the eyes behind his glasses betrayed deep unease.

Sihoo frowned and tilted his head slightly. Ever since the department store incident, Yeonwoo had avoided bringing up anything related to him. Even when they occasionally met, Yeonwoo only greeted him courteously as Baek Doyoung’s secretary and a company employee, with a look that said he had much to say but couldn’t bring himself to say it.

The man’s reticence was frustrating. Internally, Sihoo countered with, Your brother enjoys it just as much, but even that didn’t bring him any relief. His irritation showed in the sharp rise of his eyes, and the sternness of his expression prompted a quiet whisper from the person beside him.

“We’re in a meeting. Keep your expression in check.”

The man with the radiant smile was none other than his younger brother, Baek Doyoung, who kept his gaze fixed on the executive currently giving a briefing while moving only his lips.

“Father’s sharp as ever. He might start digging into your business any moment now.”

“…I can’t believe I’m hearing advice about controlling my expression from you.”

“If you understand, reflect on it.”

“…”

The smug tone of his brother’s muttering deepened Sihoo’s displeasure, but he couldn’t deny the truth in his words. The thought of this escalating and reaching their father’s ears was exhausting.

After glancing at their father, who was intently listening, Sihoo schooled his expression. The effort of managing multiple people at once weighed on him.

I just want to lie in bed and run my fingers through Yoo Yejun’s hair. Like how people soothe themselves by petting a dog’s fur, Sihoo wanted to unwind by touching Yejun. Even the mere thought of it made his hands feel the warmth and softness of Yejun’s hair.

…Warm, and adorable.

Soft, gentle, and affectionate.

Recalling every expression that reminded him of Yoo Yejun, Sihoo let out a long breath. The tension in his facial muscles eased, and a faint smile played on his lips.

Thanks to that, Sihoo regained his composure. He maintained his calm while conversing with executives after the meeting, when greeting his father, and even when he stepped forward to block Yoo Yeonwoo from leaving.

Facing the startled Yeonwoo, who had frozen in place, Sihoo spoke in a calm yet subtly arrogant tone.

“Why don’t you hit me?”

“…What?”

“Or would you prefer to throw a drink at me? Should I bring you a glass of water?”

His abrupt words caused those standing behind him to exchange baffled glances. Throw water?

In the midst of the confusion, Doyoung’s eyes curved in a smile.

“This isn’t the place for that.”

Then, Doyoung signaled to Sihoo’s assistants. Sensing the gravity of the situation, they quickly ushered others out. Once the meeting room door closed, leaving only the three of them, Sihoo folded his arms.

“Go on, hit me.”

“…No, thank you.”

After a long silence, Yeonwoo finally sighed out the words. Sihoo tilted his head.

“It’s not every day you get an opportunity like this. I’m not the type to let people take swings at me.”

“Yeonwoo Hyung, want me to do it for you? Just say the word.”

Doyoung sidled up to Yeonwoo with a cheerful smile. His sympathy for his partner’s troubled expression was evident, but so was his amusement at the situation.

“As someone dating Doyoung, what right do I have to criticize?”

Sihoo immediately understood what he meant. Yeonwoo was pointing out that they, too, were a couple with a significant age gap. As someone much older than Doyoung, Yeonwoo didn’t feel he had the standing to judge Sihoo.

Sihoo assumed Yeonwoo was the type to overthink things. Most people would have blown up, regardless of the consequences, spitting out accusations about touching their younger sibling.

“You know, don’t you? That Yejun went back to his own studio apartment.”

“I do.”

How could he not? He’d spent all of last weekend there with Yejun. If Yeonwoo knew that Yoo Yejun had tied him up and rubbed his cock between his chest, what kind of reaction would he have?

“He said if you’re going to get angry, direct it all at him. That he’s the one chasing after me because he likes me.”

“…Did Yejun say that?”

“Yes.”

Yeonwoo touched his forehead with his palm, checking if he had a fever. The watch on his wrist caught the light and shimmered faintly. When his gaze absentmindedly shifted to it, he let out a tired voice.

“I’ve heard you’ve done a lot for us. Even when YeJun went into rut, you helped. It could’ve turned into a serious incident, but you prevented it. Thank you.”

“……”

“I also want to apologize. YeJun must’ve been following you around constantly. That must have been troublesome.”

Sihoo blinked slowly, as if processing the absurdity of what he just heard. He found himself irritated by the overly polite attitude of the other man. Uncrossing his arms, he let out a soft, deflated laugh.

“Trouble, huh. Hmm.”

He slid one hand into his pants pocket and leaned slightly toward Yeonwoo, a posture dripping with arrogance.

“When YeJun went into rut… Do you know what I did?”

“What…?”

“I didn’t give him suppressants. On purpose.”

His words were delivered clearly, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

“It wasn’t because I thought the suppressants wouldn’t work. No, it was entirely because of my own selfishness.”

Yeonwoo furrowed his brow, confusion written across his face.

“I was curious, you see. Whether this was really a rut, why someone who’s a beta was experiencing a rut in the first place.”

Sihoo continued in a soft voice.

“If it really was a rut, then what happens next? I wanted to know. So, I let it be.”

“Why are you telling me this all of a sudden?”

“I’m saying you don’t need to apologize. Contrary to what you think, I’m quite the bastard.”

“……”

A heavy silence fell between them. Yeonwoo’s pupils wavered, clearly unsure how to respond to the situation.

Sihoo understood the turmoil in Yeonwoo’s mind. Yoo YeJun had probably done everything in his power to paint Sihoo as the sole villain. And yet, the truth was far from it—Sihoo hadn’t given any medication to someone in rut. He had just stood by and watched.

“If you ever feel like hitting me, just give me a call.”

The one to break the silence was Sihoo. Yeonwoo, still stunned, bit down on his lip. The shadows under his eyes darkened.

“Why do you keep saying I should hit you?”

“Just so there’s no misunderstanding—I’m not saying this because I like being hit.”

Sihoo spoke in an even tone. Yeonwoo’s cheeks flushed a deep red, betraying his embarrassment. His conflicted expression elicited a faint, soundless smile from Sihoo.

“I’m joking. I’ll take my leave now; I have my next appointment.”

Straightening his posture, he added slowly.

“I regret how things turned out.”

There was sincerity in his regret. He never would have imagined that Yoo YeJun was Yoo Yeonwoo’s younger brother. If only their appearances had been more alike, he might have realized sooner. Clicking his tongue softly, Sihoo thought of YeJun’s gentle features, so unlike his older brother’s.

“Hyung.”

As he was about to walk out of the conference room, someone unexpected stopped him. It was Doyoung, who had been silently observing with interest until now. Their gazes clashed in the air with a sharp intensity.

“Do you have no intention of breaking up with YeJun?”

Doyoung added, “Didn’t you just say you regret it?” and smiled knowingly. His expression suggested he already knew the answer to his own question.

The sensation of being seen through was unpleasant, but unavoidable. Sihoo tilted one corner of his mouth into a crooked grin.

“That’s why I said you can hit me.”

⟡ ݁₊ .

As soon as he stepped through the front door, a cheerful voice greeted him.

“Welcome back.”

Sihoo’s eyes softened languidly. The one who greeted him stood near the door, hands politely clasped, looking like an eager puppy welcoming its owner home.

Would this be what it felt like to have a dog? His entire body relaxed, tension melting away.

“You really were waiting, huh?”

“Hyung wanted me to.”

It was just as Yejun had said. Acting on an impulsive urge, Sihoo sent him a message.

[Go home first and wait.]

It was a one-sided command that didn’t account for Yejun’s schedule. Yet, instead of being annoyed, Yejun replied with:

Yoo Yejun: [Why? Do you miss me already?]

The cheeky, almost shameless question made Sihoo let out a dry laugh. Yejun was becoming increasingly bold by the day. Whether he’d always been like this or was changing, Sihoo couldn’t tell. Feeling a strange tingling at the base of his spine, he replied simply:

[Yeah.]

“You said you missed me, didn’t you?”

“I already answered that earlier.”

“I wanted to hear you say it again.”

“Too bad. I don’t like answering things twice.”

As he was halfway through taking off his shoes, a strong grip wrapped around his waist, pulling him backward. The stumble was brief as warmth enveloped him.

Caught in an unexpected hug, Sihoo turned his head back. His shoes had fallen off and lay scattered. Clicking his tongue, he heard a cheerful voice, tinged with laughter, close to his ear.

“Did you really miss me?”

“Don’t push it.”

“I missed you, though.”

“…….”

At the quiet but clear whisper, Sihoo found himself looking into Yejun’s face. It struck him how close they were—too close. He could feel the rapid rhythm of Yejun’s heartbeat and see the way his eyes glimmered with a peculiar light.

Heat rushed up Sihoo’s throat, spreading to the top of his head. Raising his arms, he pulled Yejun closer by the neck, their lips colliding roughly.

Tilting his head, Sihoo slid his tongue into Yejun’s parted mouth, exploring the wet heat within. Meanwhile, Yejun’s hands moved along his waist, gripping firmly.

Thud. Pop.

Buttons on Sihoo’s suit jacket came undone, and Yejun’s hand slipped inside. Fingers brushed over the vest fabric, sending a shiver up Sihoo’s spine.

When Sihoo stiffened instinctively, Yejun’s touch only grew bolder, caressing his waist and tracing up and down his spine, stoking the fire inside him. Unable to endure, Sihoo was the first to break away, gasping.

“Hah.”

Yejun kissed his cheek, his lips warm and deliberate.

Peck. Peck. Peck.

The kisses trailed from Sihoo’s cheek to his jaw, soft and teasing. When Yejun’s lips ventured near his ear, Sihoo flinched, leaning into him.

“Ah, damn it.”

It felt so good it warranted cursing. The sudden flood of kisses upon returning home was electrifying.

“Tomorrow—ugh—come early again,” Sihoo muttered hoarsely. Yejun chuckled, his breath warm against Sihoo’s skin, making it burn hotter. Sihoo instinctively tilted his head away, but Yejun didn’t let up. Instead, as if expecting it, his lips found the curve of Sihoo’s exposed neck, sucking firmly enough to draw a stifled groan.

“Ugh.”

When Yejun finally pulled back, their eyes met. Despite his usual composed appearance, Yejun’s lips gleamed faintly, damp and flushed. Sihoo glanced at them, a single thought crossing his mind: How indecent.

“What should I do? I have to go to my part-time job tomorrow. I need to start early….”

“Quit.”

“I can’t. I need the money.”

“I’ll pay you. Just play piano here instead. I’ll pay you hourly—”

Before he could finish offering a rate, Yejun cupped his face with both hands. Momentarily stunned, Sihoo felt Yejun press a kiss to his forehead. Not stopping there, Yejun kissed the tip of his nose, both cheeks, and his lips, repeatedly.

“…Were you a dog in a past life?”

The voice that managed to escape him was already hoarse. Yejun laughed as if amused, pulling back slightly. He had just been on the verge of seduction, but now he looked completely innocent, like a mischievous child.

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

Eat what? The intense intimacy had left Sihoo’s mind in shambles. In the haze of his thoughts, a stray question popped up: Is he telling me to eat him?

Just as Sihoo was about to blurt it out, Yejun smiled shyly and spoke.

“I did some grocery shopping.”

It wasn’t until then that Sihoo noticed the smell of food filling the house. Caught off guard, his expression faltered. A low chuckle tickled his ears.

“…I didn’t call you over to play house.”

“I couldn’t just sit around waiting. I wanted to feed you quickly, Hyung.”

Every time Yejun chatted, his words seemed to ripple faintly, like a gentle vibration spreading outward. What was this feeling, thundering in his chest? The bubbling sensation felt unfamiliar. At a loss for words, Sihoo simply turned his head to the side.

A kiss landed on his cheek, firm and deliberate, like a stamp being pressed down. Startled, Sihoo’s eyes widened. He scowled without meaning to, and Yejun responded with a playful hum, his lips curling into a knowing smirk. His confidence said he understood exactly how Sihoo was feeling. Placing a hand on Sihoo’s collarbone, Yejun patted it lightly.

“Go wash up.”

The feathery touch sent a tingling sensation through his collarbone. Sihoo was the first to pull away, taking a few steps toward the bathroom. Glancing sideways, he caught sight of Yejun already bustling around the dining table.

Why is he like this?

Why go out of his way to do things no one asked for? He’d been like this before, too—trying to clean as soon as he walked through the door. Doing chores that required time and effort, even when they were unnecessary, was strange. Really strange.

Rubbing the back of his hand against his cheek, Sihoo felt a lingering tingle where the kiss had landed.

Caught in an inexplicable storm of emotions, Sihoo washed his hands. As the scent of soap lingered on his fingers, he approached the dining table. Yejun stood there with a pot in his hands, smiling. The bubbling sensation in Sihoo’s chest grew stronger.

“Should I help—”

“It’s all done. Hyung just needs to sit.”

Sihoo lingered for a while before slowly taking a seat. The neatly arranged dishes looked appetizing. Imagining Yejun grocery shopping and cooking all this himself made Sihoo’s hand feel uncomfortably warm.

Frowning, Sihoo glanced at Yejun’s fingers, which were pushing a meat dish toward him. Thankfully, they seemed unharmed.

“What if you hurt yourself?”

Yejun blinked, confused. “Why would I get hurt?”

“You could. Burn yourself, or cut yourself with a knife.”

Sihoo’s voice was flat and matter-of-fact.

“Don’t do it again.”

“I cook for myself at home all the time. I’m not a beginner, so don’t worry.”

“Don’t cook at home either, from now on.”

“Ha, then what should I do? Starve?”

“You can hire a housekeeper. I’ll find someone good at cooking to send to your place. Okay? Stop using your hands carelessly. You’re a pianist; you need to be careful.”

Instead of replying, Yejun sat up straighter and smiled brightly. The unspoken message was clear: I put all this effort into making food, and all I get is nagging?

It was Sihoo who started feeling awkward under Yejun’s cheerful smile. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Yejun somehow had the upper hand.

“…What are you doing? Aren’t you eating?”

His voice, calm on the surface, carried a faint hint of discomfort.

“Hyung should start first. It’s proper to show respect to your elders.”

“Elder…?”

“You must be hungry. Please, enjoy your meal.”

The exaggeratedly polite tone was laced with mischief. Dumbfounded, Sihoo furrowed his brow, casting Yejun an unconvincingly annoyed glare. Yejun, for his part, seemed delighted. His perfectly handsome face glowed with vibrant energy.

That energy was disarmingly infectious. Watching him, Sihoo found his own irritation fading, replaced by a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Ridiculous.

He’s not a child.

Even so, Sihoo couldn’t suppress the soft chuckle that escaped him. Giving in to the surge of warm, positive emotions, he picked up his utensils, thinking that a quiet conversation over a meal wasn’t such a bad substitute for other activities.

⟡ ݁₊ .

After they finished eating, Sihoo played one of Yejun’s piano pieces. The slow, richly textured melody filled the entire living room.

“Don’t you think you listen to this too often?” Yejun asked, looking a little shy. Still, the faint twitch of his lips betrayed that he didn’t actually mind.

As Sihoo lay on the sofa listening, Yejun approached him. Curious about what he might do, Sihoo remained still, gazing up at him. Clad in a white robe with his long legs stretched out, Yejun exuded a graceful yet languid air.

Yejun neither pounced on him nor smothered him. Instead, he smiled briefly at the gazing Sihoo before suddenly cradling the back of his head.

“…What are you doing?”

Sihoo’s question was soon answered when he realized the back of his head and neck were no longer resting on hands but on Yejun’s thigh. The solid surface beneath his head made him chuckle softly.

“Can I stroke your hair?”

“Do as you please.”

With that casual permission, Yejun’s hand settled on his hair. His gentle strokes were deliberate and careful. As drowsiness crept in, Sihoo closed his eyes.

“Why are you being so delicate? You’re not shy about biting and sucking elsewhere.”

“…True, but now I feel oddly nervous.”

Judging by the faint tremor in Yejun’s thigh, he wasn’t joking. Smirking, Sihoo shifted onto his side, letting Yejun’s warmth seep into his cheek.

“You and Yeonwoo…”

The hand stroking his head paused when Sihoo spoke. He instructed Yejun to keep going and continued.

“You two are pretty similar.”

“Really? I’ve never been told that.”

“Not in appearance, but in how you act.”

“…Did you meet Hyung?”

“I did. Told him to hit me if he wanted or pour water on me if it helped.”

“That’s absolutely not okay.”

Yejun’s firm tone rang in his ears. Resting his cheek on Yejun’s thigh, Sihoo glanced upward. Yejun’s lips were pressed into a tight line, his expression rejecting even the idea.

“Why would you say that? I don’t want you getting hit by anyone.”

“Even if it’s your brother?”

“Yes.”

His immediate response was oddly satisfying. Feeling as if he’d bested Yoo Yeonwoo, Sihoo’s lips curled slightly. Meanwhile, Yejun let out a low sigh.

“You told me not to cook because I might hurt my hands. Yet you’re okay with the idea of getting hit somewhere else?”

“…Yoo Yejun.”

Yejun’s gaze urged him to explain. Concern darkened his expression.

Sihoo quietly studied his face. His long, thick lashes gave him an almost ethereal quality.

“Why do you like me so much? Why do you like me to the point that…”

He trailed off, his lips trembling slightly.

“…you keep doing such endearing things, making it impossible to ignore?”

Regret crept in as soon as he spoke. Adding that last part felt unnecessary. With the piano playing softly in the background, the moment had become almost unbearably romantic.

What is this madness?

Feeling like an unwilling star in a cheesy romantic movie, Sihoo frowned and rose to his feet, turning off the music.

“Am I impossible to ignore?”

Before he could respond, Yejun was suddenly right behind him, his voice tender with affection.

The low murmur, so close to his ear, sent a shiver down Sihoo’s spine. Without waiting for an answer, Yejun’s hands began to explore, tracing along his back.

“…Hn.”

“Answer me.”

“I’m not going to repeat—ah!”

Yejun’s left hand slid from Sihoo’s waist to his lower abdomen, slowly moving upward. Letting out a long breath, Sihoo’s half-lidded eyes caught sight of Yejun’s bare wrist, its protruding bones faintly visible. A surge of desire to tie that wrist with something stirred within him.

Rustle.

Yejun’s hand slipped beneath the slightly parted robe. Sihoo, who had been merely observing, clenched his jaw when Yejun’s hand rested squarely on his chest.

It wasn’t hard to understand the intent: to feel his heartbeat. Turning his head, Sihoo locked eyes with the man behind him. The air between them was charged with heated silence, their gazes entwined, lips barely moving.

“Hyung, your heartbeat…”

“…….”

“My heart is beating fast.”

A faint smile appeared and disappeared on Yejun’s lips. Instead of responding with words, Sihoo began to slowly release his pheromones.

The pheromones climbed up Yejun’s chest to his neck. They caressed his ears and then clung to both cheeks. Suddenly, his chin was grabbed, and their lips collided strongly.

“Mm.”

Sihoo quickly realized that his chin was fixed by Yejun’s right hand. His left hand, which had slipped through the gown, was still fondling his chest.

For some reason, he felt a shivering sensation, as if his hair was standing on end. Perhaps it was a premonition that Yejun might see right through him.

He twisted his waist to free his hand, but Yejun didn’t budge. He only gently sucked on his lower lip, fueling the excitement.

Finally, Sihoo relaxed as he felt the tongue invade his mouth. The movement vividly swept through his mucous membranes.

‘Fine.’

Go ahead and move as you wish.

Giving up, the feeling of rejection faded, replaced by exhilaration. Mirroring the other’s actions, Sihoo smiled with his eyes. His dark pupils sparkled beautifully with lust.

The pheromones intertwined. As they struggled to dominate, pressing and being pressed, Yejun finally released his lips. Without giving Sihoo a chance to catch his breath, he buried his head in his neck.

As teeth grazed the blood vessel under his ear, his back shivered. Sihoo heaved his chest and tilted his head to the side. Yejun’s laughter clung to his prominent neckline, seemingly pleased with the submissive gesture.

Rustle.

The gown’s belt loosened, and the cloth fell to the floor. Meanwhile, Yejun’s lips had already moved from his shoulder to his collarbone. Each soft lick sent a gentle breath against his wet skin.

Feeling his vision blur, Sihoo covered his forehead with one hand. White veins stood out sharply on his hand.

As he suppressed the urge to pounce on Yoo Yejun, something wet touched his spine. Presumably his tongue, it stood firmly and tickled his skin.

“Ugh…….”

“Do you like it here?”

Whispering softly, Yejun sucked and licked the same spot again. The sensitive skin, repeatedly nipped, tensed up.

Unable to bear it any longer, Sihoo tried to turn around. At that moment, breath touched the area wet with saliva. As Yejun blew, a tingling sensation penetrated deep into his body.

“I can tell even without an answer.”

“Show-off.”

“Haha.”

Hearing the sound, Sihoo turned his head to look at Yejun. He was already on his knees, both hands gripping Sihoo’s waist. Before he could ask what he was doing, Yejun continued his actions.

The tongue tracing down his spine was excessively stimulating. When it reached his buttocks, he felt dizzy.

“How far are you going to lick, ah!”

A sharp moan finally escaped his lips. The hands that had been holding his waist were now spreading his buttocks. The tongue touched his exposed hole, the wet flesh rubbing and licking the folds, causing one knee to buckle.

“Yoo Yejun……!”

Sihoo called out the name of the person who had suddenly started sucking below. Noticing the excitement in his voice, Yejun smirked and began to play with the folds of the hole with his fingers. The persistent touch made the hole twitch with anticipation.

“Hyung, even your insides are beautiful. Such a lovely color.”

“……Shut up.”

“Can I suck it?”

“You’ve already sucked enough, and now you ask for permiss, ugh!”

The long tongue licked the hole. The goosebumps prevented him from finishing his sentence. As Sihoo shivered, Yejun scraped the folds with his teeth. The stinging sensation spread, and the hole quivered, revealing the wet insides.

Yoo Yejun pushed his tongue deep inside. The firm tongue stirring inside made Sihoo’s head tilt back. His eyelids fluttered, and the straight line of his lips crumbled.

Yejun removed his tongue from the hole and placed his lips on the swollen folds. He sucked so hard that it made a loud ‘chuup’ sound. The intense suction made Sihoo’s cock stand erect. Drops of fluid leaked from his small urethra and fell to the floor.

“Huh, ugh! Ha, ha, ha… ha….”

As soon as Yejun pulled away, Sihoo gasped for breath. The blood vessel under his ear throbbed wildly. His blurred vision caught sight of the fluid on the floor. The realization that he had leaked so much just from being sucked inside made Sihoo chuckle.

“Damn, why are you so good at this?”

“I have a good teacher.”

Sihoo furrowed his brow at the gentle voice and met Yejun’s gaze. Yejun smiled without even wiping his lips. Instinctively, Sihoo sensed that Yejun was also highly aroused.

Sihoo’s eyes narrowed sharply. The light in his dark pupils flickered strangely bright. The soft sensation inside him was ticklish and hard to bear. He felt a strong urge to push this bold guy’s cock inside him.

“Yoo Yejun.”

Sihoo called his name and paused to catch his breath. The feeling of his hair standing on end was overwhelming. The goosebumps wouldn’t go away.

“Instead of your tongue, give me something else.”

After speaking, he half-closed his eyes and stubbornly stared at Yoo Yejun’s crotch. The clear intent in his gaze made Yejun swallow hard.

Moments later, Yejun stood up and lunged forward. Sihoo felt a large, hard hand firmly grasp his cock and closed his eyes.

Hot breath touched his eyelids. Realizing that greater pleasure was coming, his spine shivered.

⟡ ݁₊ .

When he opened his eyes, darkness greeted him. Sihoo looked up at the ceiling with a relaxed face. He had no idea what time it was. He only knew that his mind was clear despite waking up unexpectedly.

He could get up, but for some reason, he wanted to stay sprawled out. His eyes, which had been staring at the ceiling, slowly narrowed. A faint breathing sound reached his ears. He turned his head to find the source of the rhythmic breaths.

As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw the face of the sleeping person. Yejun was turned towards Sihoo, deeply asleep. Seeing Yejun’s peaceful eyebrows and slightly parted lips, Sihoo smiled silently. He realized anew that Yejun’s face looked youthful. Yejun might grumble about not being young, but Sihoo found it endearing.

Feeling languid, Sihoo suddenly murmured, “Ah.” He quickly closed his mouth, afraid that his voice might wake Yejun.

After a moment of thought, he quietly got up. He silently opened a drawer and took something out.

Holding it, Sihoo looked at himself in the mirror. He saw his gown-clad self trying to suppress a smile. He looked like a mischievous boy, and his eyebrows twitched at the sight.

It felt unfamiliar but not unpleasant. In fact, his relaxed face looked rather good.

His dark eyes turned back to the person lying in bed. Yejun was a light sleeper. Even the slightest noise would wake him.

Sihoo didn’t want to wake the soundly sleeping Yejun, especially since he had something he wanted to do in secret.

Sihoo walked over to Yejun’s side and slowly grasped his wrist. The dawn light filtering through the curtains enveloped their skin. Sihoo examined Yejun’s glowing skin and held out the object in his other hand.

Tension gripped Sihoo’s cheek as he carefully placed his arm on the bed and slowly checked.

Under the faint light, a watch wrapped around Yejun’s wrist. The blue leather strap and the white diamonds embedded in it created a sophisticated look. Sihoo smiled, pulling at the corners of his mouth, and made a sound, “Hmm.”

It suited Yejun better than expected. The fact that he had bound Yejun’s wrist with something also gave him a sense of satisfaction. Sihoo squinted and admired Yejun’s wrist for a long time.

Suddenly, he remembered the many performances Yejun had given him. The first piece he heard, <Winter>, and <Jeux d’eau>. The lovely melody of <Love’s Greeting> and the pieces Yejun himself composed—all these tunes mixed together, stimulating his ears.

A strange thrill pounded in his chest. Sihoo savored the memories that clung to his ears and closed his eyes. An idea struck him.

Yejun would continue to play many pieces for him in the future. What if he found watches to match each piece and gave them as gifts? Imagining Yejun’s face, half surprised and half delighted, made him smile.

Sihoo, still with his eyes closed, tilted his head slightly. The smile on his handsome face deepened. The anticipation of future events sent a thrill through his wrist.