6) Heat
He wasn’t ready for this.
Even after changing clothes, Ha-jin’s head was swimming with that one thought.
Maybe it was because the memory had come to him just moments before—being dragged out of the container, thrown into the mud, and facing Cheon Tae-seong without any warning. The emotions felt eerily similar.
“I’ll go pick up some medicine while you talk. Mr. Lee Yushin said it might be the flu.”
Lim Han-soo spoke kindly as he glanced back at Ha-jin, who was walking in a daze.
“Huh? No, I’m fine now.”
“Is that so? You just looked a bit… never mind.”
What was wrong with his face now? Ha-jin rubbed his face repeatedly. Truthfully, he wanted nothing more than to say let’s talk tomorrow and run away. Maybe that hesitation was showing plainly on his face.
As if sensing that very urge, Lim Han-soo stayed close, walking beside him with his large frame as they made their way to Cheon Tae-seong’s suite. The hallway was long, perhaps because the suite itself was so large and the rooms were spaced far apart.
At last, they reached the entrance. But before Ha-jin could even finish a deep breath, Lim Han-soo pushed the door open. As he stepped cautiously inside, he saw Cheon Tae-seong standing in the center of the living room in a perfectly tailored suit. One hand was in his pocket while the other lifted slightly to check his watch.
It looked like he had come straight from the airport, yet his appearance was completely unruffled. The moment he saw Ha-jin, Tae-seong smiled brightly, his eyes crinkling. The corners of his lips curved into a perfect arc, his nose scrunched playfully.
“You’re here?”
That face, full of warmth and familiarity, only made the contrast clearer. Perhaps Ha-jin had gotten too used to that sweet smile he’d seen since their reunion. Remembering that man’s once-cold expression sent a chill deep into his chest.
Ha-jin quickly bowed, forcing away the tangle of thoughts in his head. His feet felt weighed down, refusing to move faster. When he glanced back, he caught a glimpse of Lim Han-soo bowing and stepping out.
Click. The soft sound of the door closing echoed far too loudly.
Now it was just the two of them in the massive suite. It had only been three days, but it felt like they were meeting after a long separation. Ha-jin trembled, his stomach tightening with nerves.
Cheon Tae-seong’s scent filled the air—thick enough to be suffocating. Like being surrounded by the sweetest flowers in the world, as if his entire body were submerged in that irresistible aroma. Without thinking, Ha-jin felt himself being drawn in, wanting to bury his nose in the man’s chest.
Tae-seong reached a hand out toward him.
At first, Ha-jin thought it was the usual signal to come receive pheromones—but instead, he was pointing toward the dining room. Ha-jin had taken one step forward but stopped awkwardly.
“I haven’t eaten yet. But you haven’t either, right?”
As he turned, Tae-seong lightly touched Ha-jin’s shoulder.
“Ha-jin.”
“…Yes?”
“Did something happen to you?”
“No. I just… had a bit of a fever.”
Ha-jin instinctively avoided his eyes. Tae-seong couldn’t possibly know about his nightmare, but somehow, Ha-jin was afraid that if they made eye contact, it would all be exposed.
Tae-seong reached up and cupped Ha-jin’s jaw. His warm palm on Ha-jin’s cold cheek sent a jolt down his spine, goosebumps prickling all over.
“……”
Tae-seong gently rubbed his thumb across Ha-jin’s cheek. Despite the fever, his skin was cold—but flushed pink.
“How hard were you partying?”
He had flown here with barely any sleep, just to see him. And now Ha-jin was acting distant, avoiding his eyes. It stung. Maybe it had been a mistake to leave him behind.
He’d thought his efforts had softened Ha-jin up a bit—made him all cute and sweet. So why was he acting all awkward after just three days? It’s not like they were strangers again.
Had he made a mistake trying to play it cool? Honestly, while he was in Paris, he’d been this close to wiring 500 million won straight into Ha-jin’s account.
To say, Fine, you win. You like money, right? Here—stuff your pockets with it, and watch him fluster. He would’ve enjoyed that. But seeing him now, he was glad he hadn’t gone through with it.
With a light touch on his shoulder, Tae-seong guided Ha-jin to the dining table. The dishes had been carefully chosen to be gentle on the stomach. He seated Ha-jin and took the spot across from him.
“Let’s eat a little first.”
When he lifted the lid from the cast-iron pot in the center of the table, a cloud of steam rose to reveal steaming chicken soup. Tae-seong scooped some into a smaller bowl for Ha-jin, then served himself.
Ha-jin stared at the steam, his nose twitching at the warm aroma, then glanced sidelong at Tae-seong.
His scent was so overwhelming it overpowered the food. Why was he insisting they eat first? Ha-jin’s mouth filled with saliva—but not because of the soup.
It was because of him.
Tae-seong noticed the gaze and met it calmly.
“What?”
Ha-jin fidgeted with his hands under the table.
“Why… haven’t you asked me to receive your pheromones?”
Tae-seong paused mid-scoop, then set down his spoon.
“Oh, the pheromones.”
He leaned back in his chair, tongue briefly pressing into the inside of his cheek. The discomfort in his expression made Ha-jin’s eyes widen. Was it… no longer necessary? That dumb thought flickered through his mind.
Tae-seong hooked a finger around his tie and loosened it, then casually undid a couple shirt buttons. He cracked his neck and exhaled deeply, chest rising as if trying to breathe freely again.
“I didn’t want to startle you.”
“……”
“I’m holding back, Ha-jin. Don’t play dumb.”
“Oh—sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
The scent flared at that, as if displeased by the apology.
“If you get it, then let’s eat quietly, Manager.”
He picked up his spoon again, so Ha-jin reluctantly followed suit. The fever meds must’ve worn off—his eyes burned, his mouth felt raw, and he had no appetite. But still, sitting across from Tae-seong, he felt like he had to at least pretend.
“…Ugh!”
The moment a tiny sip of broth touched his tongue—less than half a spoonful—a violent wave of nausea surged up. Ha-jin clapped a hand over his mouth.
He shot to his feet, the spoon clattering loudly to the marble floor.
“Ha-jin?!”
Startled, Tae-seong stood as well.
But Ha-jin didn’t answer. Hand over his mouth, he bolted for the bathroom. The door slammed behind him—and the world spun.
His legs gave out, and he collapsed against the door, clutching his chest.
It felt like his heart had dropped from a great height and then shot back up. His pulse throbbed so violently it echoed in his ears like a drumbeat.
“…Hhck, ngh!”
A curse slipped through clenched teeth. Like wildfire catching dry leaves, something had ignited inside him—and spread uncontrollably.
His upper body trembled and folded in on itself. He couldn’t stay upright. Ha-jin rolled to his side, curling up like a grub.
It felt like gravity was crushing his entire body—just like being drunk out of his mind.
“Haa… Hhh… ngh…”
“Ha-jin. Lee Ha-jin.”
Thump, thump, thump— The door shivered under soft knocks. Tae-seong was outside. The faint tremors from the door made Ha-jin’s body convulse like a seizure.
“Hah… No, no…”
Such piercing sensitivity. The Alpha’s pheromones—just moments ago so close—were still seared into his skin.
Something inside him burst. Like the gland that stored heat had ruptured from being stretched too far, the embers inside him scattered wildly.
A flash of light exploded behind his closed eyelids.
The wildfire raging in his lower abdomen consumed his entire body.
Forget shame—Ha-jin reached down between his legs. His cock was so painfully hard that the slightest pressure made him climax immediately. Hot, sticky fluid spilled down his thighs, the sensation horrifyingly vivid.
Tears welled up so thick they blurred his vision, dripping over the bridge of his nose. But it wasn’t just tears and sweat that made him feel so wet. His underwear was completely soaked—front to back—drenched and ruined.
“…Haa…”
Thump. The door rattled again.
“Ha-jin.”
The sound of that deep, low voice made him come again—helplessly.
In the end, he reached into his pants. Even after two orgasms, his erection didn’t go down. His nails scraped the skin, and the pain twisted into a perverse kind of pleasure. Ha-jin bit down on his lip, stifling sobs.
“Ha-jin…”
“…”
“Can I come in?”
Strange… He could picture Tae-seong so clearly, even behind the door. Probably kneeling with his forehead resting against it. His lips, exhaling deep sighs, were likely flushed red.
“Ha-jin, please…”
Every time he spoke, Ha-jin’s throat went dry. If he gave in like he had with the pheromones before—what would happen to him?
Ha-jin wrapped his arms tightly around his head, shook his head furiously, and closed his eyes. The desire to drown in it was overwhelming.
And yet, with that same intensity… he was afraid.
What does it feel like to go into heat?
That foolish question from his past popped up—and vanished just as quickly.
His mind burned white-hot. He could no longer think.
