Someone like him wouldn’t have been uncomfortable with that restaurant. If anything, it felt nostalgic. From Yeonwoo’s perspective, it was rather surprising that Ho Munbeom frequented such a place.
Perhaps that’s why. While talking about how remote, quiet, and empty his hometown was, Yeonwoo inadvertently let slip the hardships of living in Seoul.
“At first, I liked how bright, noisy, and crowded it was…”
As time passed, the lights and noise had actually made Yeonwoo feel lonelier and more desolate.
Saying such things only made the listener uncomfortable. Yeonwoo glossed over it by saying, “That’s how it was where I lived,” and resumed eating his ice cream. Watching the popsicle disappear between Yeonwoo’s small lips, Ho Munbeom put the remaining half of his ice cream into his mouth at once and said:
“It’s not bad having conversations like this with you, Yeonwoo.”
“Me too, I never thought I’d talk this much to an Executive Director—”
“Beom.”
“Pardon?”
“Call me Beom. I’m not your boss, after all.”
Confused by the situation that seemed to have skipped several steps, Yeonwoo blinked. Regardless, Ho Munbeom tilted his head toward Yeonwoo, as if expecting Yeonwoo to call him ‘Beom’ right away.
With his cheeks gradually warming, Yeonwoo made a small sound and put the ice cream back in his mouth. Noticing his awkward attempt to avoid the situation, Ho Munbeom touched Yeonwoo’s bruised cheek with the back of his hand.
“Call me that when you get used to it. If my grandfather found out you’re calling me ‘Executive Director,’ he might get suspicious.”
“…Yes.”
The contract period was three months.
Would he really be able to call this man ‘Beom’ during that time? It seemed unlikely. Hiding his true thoughts, Yeonwoo again touched his tongue to the ice cream. After watching Yeonwoo’s small tongue appear and disappear, Ho Munbeom twirled his finished popsicle stick between his fingers.
“It’s getting late. Should we spend the night?”
“…”
Feeling as if the ice cream had caught in his throat, Yeonwoo held his breath. His response came faster than his deliberation. Before he could even think, a small “Yes” escaped his lips, causing Ho Munbeom’s smile to deepen.
He’d expected they would naturally have sex tonight, but his prediction was wrong.
Waiting for Yeonwoo after his shower was Ho Munbeom, sitting on the bed. Wearing only a robe like Yeonwoo, the man hadn’t even dried his wet hair and was patting the spot beside him. Several medicine containers sat where his hand touched.
“…”
When Yeonwoo just stood there looking at the medicine, Ho Munbeom gently pulled his wrist. Seating Yeonwoo beside him, he picked up a round container.
“This cream helps bruises fade quickly.”
Watching Ho Munbeom open the small container and coat his finger generously with cream, Yeonwoo flinched. It seemed like too much, but the cream was already touching Yeonwoo’s cheek. Having just showered, his cheek was flushed and soft. As the cream was applied thickly, the yellowish bruise that had started to fade became more pronounced against the moistened skin.
“…”
After examining the bruise on the small face and narrow cheek, Ho Munbeom also checked the scabbed lip. Though it was healing now, he could clearly imagine its previous state. The lip must have swollen and bled immediately after being hit. He wondered what kind of person would strike such a small face. Though Yeonwoo denied it, the only person who came to mind was his father.
Ho Munbeom believed Yeonwoo wouldn’t tell anyone about their relationship, including his father. Initially he hadn’t thought so, but as their meetings increased, he naturally came to that conclusion.
Actually, today he could have just sent Secretary Kang. There was no need for him to personally come, eat soup with Yeonwoo, and instruct Secretary Kang to prepare bruise cream and medicine.
When Secretary Kang had responded, “Medicine?” Ho Munbeom wondered if he was overstepping, but seeing Yeonwoo’s bruised cheek now, he was glad he’d given the instruction.
As he continued applying the cream, then lightly tapping with his fingertips, Yeonwoo’s eyes moved upward. Looking into those round, clear eyes, Ho Munbeom spoke:
“Did it hurt?”
“…”
His hand was still touching Yeonwoo’s face. Feeling both embarrassed and strange, Yeonwoo fidgeted with his hands and simply answered, “Yes.”
“It must have hurt.”
“…”
“Your face is so small.”
With thin bones and delicate skin—yet someone managed to punch this face.
Ho Munbeom gently caressed the faint bruise with his fingertips. At his careful touch, Yeonwoo averted his gaze. A strange feeling arose. Wondering why he kept feeling this way, Yeonwoo fiddled with the robe covering his thighs and took a small breath.
Were they about to start now?
Sex was still difficult, but as the frequency increased, his body seemed to be adapting, and the pleasure gradually intensified. Though he wasn’t accustomed to the act itself, his body was definitely loosening up faster. Thinking that perhaps this time might feel even better than before, Yeonwoo continued fidgeting with his robe.
At that moment, a subtle scent emerged from somewhere.
When Yeonwoo twitched his nose slightly and turned his head, Ho Munbeom spoke as if he’d been waiting:
“Release your pheromones.”
“…”
At the Alpha’s subtle request, sitting close together on the bed, Yeonwoo’s body tensed.
Containing and hiding pheromones was something he could do with his eyes closed, but the opposite was different. Trying to recall how he had released pheromones before, he let out his scent very slightly. Ho Munbeom closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and whispered:
“That’s nice.”
“…”
“Not bad at all.”
Could this be the first time his pheromone scent had been complimented? Of course, it wasn’t the first time he’d released his pheromones in front of this man. During their peak moments, they had both been excited by each other’s pheromones.
Perhaps because he was emitting pheromones, Yeonwoo’s cheeks flushed pink. Seeing this, Ho Munbeom set aside the cream he’d applied to Yeonwoo’s face and told him to apply it again in the morning.
He got up, washed his hands, and returned to climb onto the bed.
“Come closer.”
As he patted the spot right beside him, Yeonwoo cautiously approached. After settling next to Ho Munbeom, while wondering if he should remove his robe, his arm was grabbed. Before he could resist, his head hit the pillow and the sheet covered him up to his shoulders.
Yeonwoo blankly watched Ho Munbeom lie down beside him. After repeatedly resting his head on the pillow and lifting it, he soon noticed Yeonwoo’s gaze and looked over.
“What is it? Not sleepy?”
“…Aren’t we going to do it?”
Since they’d had sex from the first day, he naturally assumed they would this time too. Not understanding why the man was simply lying down as if to sleep, Yeonwoo’s voice was innocent.
Without answering, Ho Munbeom stared at Yeonwoo and slowly moved his body. Lying on his side, he brushed back the hair that had fallen over Yeonwoo’s forehead.
Yeonwoo, with his forehead exposed, silently watching him, looked very young. No, he was young. Only twenty-one.
Even when Ho Munbeom didn’t want to think about Yeonwoo’s young age, he couldn’t help remembering it whenever he saw that clear face. Additionally, there was the fact that they were twelve years apart.
Most dominant Omegas started looking for matches right after becoming adults. They typically married much earlier than Betas. In fact, the Omegas who came to meet Ho Munbeom for arranged dates were around twenty-three on average. The youngest was nineteen.
Despite seeing many young Omegas confident in their beauty, he’d never been interested. Far from feeling aroused, he’d only felt bored. Some had even proposed casual sexual relationships without expecting marriage.
Of course, not preferring such arrangements, he’d rejected them all. But Yeonwoo was different. What was different about him? What did he want to do with this young Omega?
The contract period was one quarter, three months. During that time, Yeonwoo had to meet with him. They would have physical relations many times. Yeonwoo had said he wouldn’t lose anything from this relationship, but…
“Aren’t you uncomfortable doing this with me?”
“…”
“You can say if you don’t like it.”
At the man’s words, Yeonwoo slowly closed and opened his eyes.
“I don’t dislike it.”
Once again, the answer came without even brief consideration, causing a faint smile to spread across Ho Munbeom’s lips. Murmuring “I see,” he patted Yeonwoo’s chest.
“Let’s just sleep tonight. If it’s alright, please keep releasing your pheromones.”
Continuously letting someone feel your pheromones was something only couples did. Like perfume, pheromones absorbed into skin and clothes and couldn’t be easily removed. Later, even using deodorizers might not properly erase the scent. But he probably hadn’t considered that far when bringing up pheromones.
Lying down immediately and fidgeting with his hands folded over his stomach, Yeonwoo carefully opened his mouth.
“…Would you release yours too?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
