#116
The sensation of losing control of his body to someone else was something he wanted to avoid. Though it was said to be because of his manifestation, he never wanted to experience losing his memory due to pheromone surges again.
If he was currently showing symptoms, wouldn’t it be better to just complete the imprinting? As this thought occurred to him, his fingertips tingled and his breathing quickened with excitement. That’s why Eunhong needed to see Jaeha immediately. He wanted to confirm whether the imprinting had actually happened.
“What are you thinking about, rolling your eyes like that?”
“Huh?”
Eunhong quickly lifted his head at Jaeha’s voice. The curiosity that had been filling his chest, making him unable to wait patiently at home until Jaeha returned from work, had now risen to his throat.
He moistened his dry lips with his tongue and looked at Jaeha. Since earlier, Jaeha had been wearing an expression that said he was ready to listen, just waiting for Eunhong to speak.
You were always like this with me.
Eunhong felt intimidated by the building whose top was barely visible even when he tilted his head all the way back. Perhaps it would have been easier to talk if he hadn’t seen this place, if he hadn’t seen Jaeha being greeted by so many people.
Is it okay to ask Jaeha about this? He had constantly questioned himself on the anxious journey here. What if it becomes a burden?
Eunhong took a deep breath and asked the question he’d been hesitating to ask.
“Imprinting… did you know about it?”
Eunhong was looking into Jaeha’s eyes as if trying to see inside him. His gaze was clear and direct without any accusation, but Jaeha suddenly felt his breath catch.
Where did you hear about that?
He almost reflexively asked, but his mouth clamped shut. Though no answer came, Eunhong had already read the answer from Jaeha’s expression and quickly added:
“I want to know exactly what it is, if I have the symptoms. Whether it’s real or just something close…”
“…”
“Let’s make an appointment with Professor Choi together. If you’re… if you’re okay with it, I…”
Eunhong, who had been speaking rapidly in excitement, suddenly closed his mouth and bit off the end of his sentence. Good Lord, he had just realized what he was about to say.
I was about to ask him to imprint with me, seriously.
Jaeha was just staring at him with a stiff face. Unable to gauge what thoughts lay behind that expression, Eunhong’s own face stiffened as he fumbled for words.
“…So I was curious about that… I…”
“…I’ll fix it.”
“What?”
The unexpected answer from Jaeha’s slowly opening mouth left Eunhong gaping stupidly. Jaeha continued calmly with a darkly subdued expression.
“To make it like it never happened, to return you to normal… Professor Choi is investigating. I asked him to. Though rare, there are cases abroad.”
“You mean. You and Professor Choi discussed and decided without even letting me know?”
“I was planning to tell you once we gathered enough reliable information.”
Jaeha suddenly felt all his energy drain away. After knowing each other for so many years, he could tell from Eunhong’s eyes that he was starting to get angry.
“What were you planning to tell me? How to eliminate the imprinting symptoms?”
Eunhong’s voice began to tremble. He didn’t know why it came to mind at this moment, but the image of Jaeha’s back as he coldly stated he wouldn’t marry him suddenly flashed before his eyes.
“Without even asking for my opinion… It’s my body and you decided with Professor Choi?”
“I didn’t want to make you anxious. That’s not the important part.”
“That’s the most important part, you idiot.”
Eunhong bit his lower lip hard before speaking with force. He spilled out the words that had been swirling inside him, like a dam breaking.
“I don’t mind being imprinted with you.”
“What?”
“No, I’d actually prefer it.”
Having blurted out what had been difficult to say, Eunhong was breathing heavily as he looked up at Jaeha. His eyes were wavering chaotically. Jaeha could easily understand the feelings behind Eunhong’s words. Nevertheless, anger surged within him.
“Are you sure you fully understand what you’re saying? What happens to an imprinted omega…”
He couldn’t bring himself to speak about an omega’s fate. It was too frightening to say out loud. If something happened to him in an unforeseen accident, it would be practically the same as both of them dying. He was dumbfounded at how casually Eunhong was speaking.
Eunhong was trying to throw his entire future into Jaeha’s mouth far too nonchalantly.
“I’m sorry for not consulting with you first. But don’t be contrary. What you’re saying is absurd.”
“It’s not like that.”
“What do you mean it’s not? You’re angry right now…”
“I really don’t mind. You said alphas have no burden. Then I truly don’t mind.”
“…”
Jaeha was beyond astonished; he turned pale.
Eunhong speaking so calmly about imprinting seemed almost… excited about it. Jaeha felt dizzy. He momentarily raised his hand to cover his eyes before removing it. He didn’t even know where to begin sorting out the situation.
“For now…”
“Yes?”
“Let’s talk about this later. I need to think a bit…”
As he abruptly cut off the conversation, Eunhong’s eyes widened. He must think it’s ridiculous. But there was no alternative. If they continued this conversation right now, Jaeha felt he might lose his temper.
As he turned and walked out of the garden, Eunhong followed, seemingly resigned. Judging by his pouty lips, it didn’t look like he would easily drop the subject or change topics.
Though Eunhong always complained about Jaeha being stubborn, once Eunhong set his mind on something, he was just as relentless. Jaeha exhaled deeply.
What he wanted to do most right now, the urgent matter, was to catch and punish whoever had brought up imprinting to Eunhong.
A strange silence hung in the car. Eunhong was burning to speak, but Jaeha’s expression clearly showed he wanted to avoid the topic. Not even the radio was on, making the car excruciatingly quiet except for the occasional voice from the navigation system.
Eunhong recognized that his statement had been irrational and impulsive. He also thought it might seem somewhat creepy. It was true that Jaeha’s background—like that massive building they had just seen—made him feel intimidated.
Looking at it calmly, Eunhong had said something more extreme than even Jaeha’s grandfather would say. He had essentially blurted out, without any context, “Let’s live forever mixing our pheromones.” Once that realization hit him, he suddenly became intensely nervous.
What does he mean by thinking it over before talking?
Eunhong unconsciously gulped. The sound of his Adam’s apple moving seemed too loud, and as he glanced furtively at Jaeha, their eyes met. When Eunhong’s eyes widened, Jaeha exhaled softly.
“It’s actually easier for the alpha. It’s convenient for sending ruts. The imprinted partner can detect ruts.”
At Jaeha’s sudden words, Eunhong’s expression became even more surprised. Jaeha continued speaking while looking straight ahead.
“Apart from becoming free from other alphas’ pheromones, you gain nothing. No, rather, you lose all your freedom.”
“…”
“Have you thought about all those aspects?”
“…I’m fine with it. If it’s you.”
“…”
The car stopped in a line at a red light. The road was becoming congested. Jaeha exhaled deeply. His chest felt so tight that the car seemed to lack oxygen.
He knew Eunhong’s nature well from their long history together. When it came to matters involving him, Eunhong often showed excessive lack of caution and blind faith. Even after manifesting as an omega, he had gone about his daily life without much concern, largely thanks to this trait.
To borrow Eunhong’s own metaphor, at times like these, he was like a character with an invincibility buff. Eunhong had a tendency to trust Jaeha too much and throw himself into situations.
As soon as he decided to date Jaeha, he was the one who broke through the next barrier without hesitation. Jaeha suddenly blushed at the memory.
“No. No matter how I think about it, this isn’t right, Eunhong.”
“Why not?”
“Let’s get tests done first. Professor Choi said he wasn’t exactly sure, but… we should be able to find out something, whether it’s pheromone levels or whatever. That’s what doctors do. Whatever the result, I’ll take responsibility…”
“Whatever the result, I’m fine with it. I’m telling you, imprinting would be more comfortable.”
Eunhong’s face showed he had already reached his conclusion. Jaeha felt a hollow laugh escape.
“You’re only twenty-nine. Not even thirty yet. What are you going to do if your feelings change?”
Eunhong turned his head. He raised the ends of his eyebrows high and narrowed his eyes sharply.
“Are you planning to change your feelings?”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying. You’ve been missing the point all along.”
Jaeha regretted his words when he noticed Eunhong’s voice trembling slightly… but he couldn’t yield on this. He continued in a firm tone.
“Eunhong, you used to get bored with toys quickly when you were young.”
“Are you comparing yourself to a toy?”
“Anyway, no.”
“…Don’t make excuses about me. Just say it straight. It’s that you don’t want to.”
Eunhong’s voice cracked. As he felt like he was throwing a tantrum while Jaeha’s mind was made up, his heart felt pricked with guilt and pain. His thoughts were already starting to depart from rational thinking.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
