He knew it was probably best to stop, but his rational mind quickly bowed to instinct. Wrapping his arms around Alexander, he even begged him to put it in. Seeing Alexander put on a new condom—God knows when he’d grabbed it—made him feel a pang of betrayal, thinking this must have been his plan all along. But when he noticed the bite mark he’d left on Alexander’s collarbone, he couldn’t say anything.
Alexander must have caught the meaning behind Yeon Yiseo’s glance because he said, “Just in case. It’s better to be prepared for emergencies, right?” That smug reply only made it worse—not that Yiseo said anything out loud.
The bathroom acoustics made every little sound echo sharply. Not used to hearing his own moans, Yiseo tried to hold back, and Alexander gently coaxed him, saying it was okay. But Yiseo shook his head. So Alexander did something that made it impossible for him to keep quiet, something that pushed him past his limit.
By the time they were done and had showered, Yiseo practically collapsed into Alexander’s arms as they stepped out of the bathroom. Most of it was a blur, with only fragmented flashes in his memory.
“Wait here. I’ll bring you some water.”
Alexander got up. Yiseo was about to say he was fine, but honestly, his whole body ached and his throat was parched. So he decided not to refuse. As Alexander moved, the muscles of his bare upper body—he was only wearing pajama pants—rippled with every step.
Yiseo stared blankly after him until he disappeared out the door. Then, belatedly, he looked around. The bed sheets were fresh, and he was back in his underwear and pajamas. The issue was… he was only wearing the pajama top. The pattern matched Alexander’s, so it must have been part of the same set. Yiseo wondered why he wasn’t dressed in his own clothes, but considering Alexander must’ve been just as exhausted, it was probably all he could manage to get him cleaned up and dressed again.
He half-convinced himself with that when Alexander came back and handed him the water. Yiseo drank it. It was lukewarm, but it helped ease the dryness in his throat.
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
That wasn’t exactly true, but saying anything else would’ve made it sound like he was blaming Alexander, which he didn’t want. It wasn’t unbearable, and if things got worse, he could take some painkillers. He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. About two hours left before work.
“If you’re feeling okay… should we go to work together?”
The soft suggestion made Yiseo’s hand jerk slightly around the now-empty glass.
“No, that won’t be necessary. I can go alone.”
Just the idea of commuting together was too much. His body was sore, sure, but not to the point of needing help. He could manage on his own.
“So it is true that office romance can be complicated.”
“…Cough.”
Alexander’s sigh-laced musing sounded like he was talking to himself, but it still made Yiseo cough like he’d swallowed something wrong—despite having eaten nothing.
“Oh no, are you okay?” Alexander gently patted his back, and the way he reacted confirmed it: he knew Yiseo would respond like that.
Yiseo hadn’t noticed before, but Alexander had a mischievous streak. Or maybe he had, and the man was only now letting it show. Rubbing the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, Yiseo gave him a sidelong glance.
“Did I upset you?”
He immediately shook his head. “No, I’m not upset.”
“The quick answer makes it sound rehearsed.”
Alexander’s eyes curved gently with amusement, and the pinpoint accuracy of his observation left Yiseo speechless. He’d momentarily forgotten what kind of people Alexander usually dealt with—of course he’d be good at reading people and dissecting their intentions. Yiseo felt the need to explain.
“I’m really not upset. I just… had something else on my mind. Sorry.”
He didn’t want to show Alexander what he’d been thinking. It might’ve been an unfair assumption, and he didn’t want to come off like someone who thinks he can read others’ minds. But that vague answer seemed to have piqued Alexander’s curiosity even more.
“You were thinking about something else while you were with me? Like what?”
Alexander lightly tapped Yiseo under the chin. His smile was so damn attractive that Yiseo spaced out for a second, then quickly snapped back to reality.
“Oh, just this and that. I should get up now—ah…!”
As he moved, a sting shot through his chest, making him yelp before he could stop himself. His nipples were sore—Alexander had played with them a lot last night. It wasn’t as painful as the first time, but even the fabric brushing against them felt irritating.
And really, Yiseo couldn’t blame him. In the bathroom, he’d literally begged Alexander for more, even pushing his chest forward. Just remembering it made his face burn.
“We should treat that. Hold on.”
Alexander stood and returned with ointment. Sitting at the edge of the bed, he asked Yiseo to lift his shirt. Yiseo hesitated.
Showing your arm by rolling up a sleeve was one thing—lifting your shirt to bare your chest was a whole different feeling. It made him self-conscious. Maybe if he took it all the way off it’d feel less awkward, but just lifting it partway? That felt… weird.
He was still debating whether he should just apply the ointment himself when Alexander said:
“I just want to check the condition. It’s my responsibility, after all.”
It was just a minor injury, and he realized he was making too big a deal out of it. Feeling sheepish, Yiseo lifted his pajama top.
His nipple, reddened and slightly swollen even without being touched, stuck out visibly. Alexander clicked his tongue.
“That must hurt. I’ll be more careful from now on. I knew your skin was sensitive and still overdid it.”
Yiseo could only mutter, “Okay…”
Alexander applied the ointment carefully and even placed a bandage over it.
“You know, this kind of setup feels a little kinky.”
“…Oh.”
Yiseo froze mid-motion while fixing his shirt. He looked up and locked eyes with Alexander. He was expecting a teasing laugh, but instead, Alexander looked completely serious.
“Really? I’m not sure I’d call it that…”
He tried to play dumb, hoping Alexander would let it slide—but no such luck.
“You really didn’t notice?”
The cheeky question made Yiseo clamp his mouth shut. It wasn’t just awkward; it made him question if this was the same man he’d thought he knew. His face flushed hot with embarrassment.
“It’s your fault, Alexander.”
The words came out more petulant than intended, and Alexander’s eyes widened.
Yiseo immediately regretted it. That sounded like he was shifting blame, which wasn’t fair or mature. They’d both wanted it last night. There was no blame to assign. He opened his mouth to correct himself—but Alexander laughed first.
“That’s the first time I’ve ever heard you talk like that. I like it.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah, I’m the one who did it. I’ll be careful from now on, okay? Can we call it even?”
He leaned in and gave Yiseo a quick kiss.
Yiseo had no idea what was going on anymore. Why was Alexander so happy?
Still smiling, Alexander idly played with Yiseo’s earlobe before letting go. That simple touch seemed to expose how flustered Yiseo was.
Was his ear red again? Yiseo coughed and reached up to touch one earlobe.
“Ah.”
Alexander suddenly spoke, as if remembering something.
“While you were asleep, a call came in.”
“A call?”
He handed Yiseo his phone. Maybe it was something work-related—an urgent call? But then Alexander continued:
“The screen said Seo Eunwoo.”
“Eunwoo?”
One missed call. Yiseo checked the time—2:42 a.m.
Eunwoo rarely called that late. Something must’ve happened. But if it were really urgent, he probably would’ve called again or sent a message. Still, concern pulled Yiseo’s brows together as he debated whether to call back now.
Alexander asked,
“Is that the Seo Eunwoo I’ve heard of?”
“Huh? Oh, yes. That’s him.”
Yiseo answered easily. There wasn’t really anything to hide—though if Alexander asked how they met, that would be hard to explain.
“I didn’t know you two knew each other. If he’s calling you at that hour, you must be pretty close.”
After a pause, Yiseo said, “We haven’t known each other long, but… we’re friends.”
“I see.”
Alexander nodded, then leaned his head against Yiseo’s shoulder.
“You’ve never called me at that hour, though. Have you?”
