(After dinner)
Hana had already cleaned everything and left.
The condo grew quiet, only the faint hum of the city outside filling the silence.
Jihyun sat curled on the couch, phone in hand, restless. His thumb hovered over the call button before pressing it.
"Hyung?" he said softly when the line connected.
"How are you?" Minjoon's voice carried worry immediately.
"I'm… too much fine," Jihyun replied quickly, forcing a laugh. "I'm feeling better."
There was silence on the other end, then Minjoon's tone hardened.
"You came back to Seoul?
And didn't even tell me. You didn't return to the villa either. Where are you staying right now?"
Jihyun bit his lip. "At a friend's place."
"Jihyun." Minjoon's voice dropped heavy, sharp with suspicion.
"What are you up to? Why are you making me worry like this?"
"Hyung," Jihyun whispered, lowering his head. "When you come back, I'll tell you everything. Not now."
"I'm warning you, Jihyun,"
Minjoon cut him off, his voice firm.
"Be careful. Don't hurt yourself.
I'll be back on Saturday and I want you home in the villa. I know every friend of yours don't think that by not telling me, I won't find out."
Jihyun's throat tightened, his reply stuck somewhere between guilt and defiance. Before he could answer, the front door clicked open.
"I'll call you later. Bye, hyung!" he rushed, tossing the phone onto the couch.
He hurried to the entrance.
"You're back," Jihyun breathed.
Taewon bent to remove his shoes, eyes flicking up in quiet surprise. "Mm."
Before he could even stand, Jihyun slipped his coat from his shoulders and rushed to hang it.
Taewon froze. The Jihyun who never lifted a finger for him before was now fussing around like a newlywed.
"Sit," Jihyun said quickly, darting into the kitchen. He poured water into a glass and hurried back, placing it into Taewon's hands.
Taewon studied him for a long moment, then drank and set the glass down.
In the next breath, he pulled Jihyun into his arms.
His voice brushed Jihyun's ear, low, warm, full of suspicion and affection.
"What are you up to?"
Jihyun stiffened.
"Nothing. I'm just doing what a good partner should do. I read online today how to treat your partner."
Taewon leaned back slightly, his large hands cupping Jihyun's cheeks. His thumb brushed his soft skin,eyes tender.
"You're perfect enough. You don't need to learn anything."
Jihyun's chest tightened. Heat flooded his face.
He tried to step back, but Taewon suddenly lifted him, kissing him hard before gently laying him down on the bed inside the room.
"Your eyes are red. Take your medicine and sleep,"
Taewon said firmly.
"I'll shower and finish my work."
Jihyun nodded,
Taewon left for the bathroom, the sound of running water soon filling the air.
Jihyun sat frozen on the bed, heart hammering, his pheromones faintly spilling into the quiet room.
Why is he only kissing me?
He pressed a hand to his chest.
He said yesterday then why not?
Is it me?
Do I smell bad?
Am I not good enough?
He shook his head furiously. No. There's no misunderstanding. If he doesn't then I will.
When Taewon stepped out of the bathroom, hair damp and shirt clinging to his broad frame, he sat at the dresser, calmly drying his hair.
Jihyun's eyes couldn't leave him. The restraint, the distance it drove him mad.
Slowly, he stood, crossing the room, and sat on Taewon's lap.
Startled, Taewon set the dryer down.
"What's wrong?"
Jihyun pressed his face against Taewon's chest, inhaling the clean, intoxicating scent. His pheromones thickened, sweet and needy, filling the air.
"Do I smell bad?" Jihyun whispered.
Taewon froze, his grip around Jihyun's waist tightening. His gaze darkened, sharp.
"Who told you this?"
Jihyun lifted his head, his eyes shimmering. "Then am I not good enough for you?"
Taewon's jaw tightened.
"Don't ever say that again."
But Jihyun's trembling pheromones spilled again, seductive, pleading.
He untied his robe with shaking fingers, letting it fall loose. His palm pressed against Taewon's chest.
"Then do it," he whispered. "I want you."
For a long moment,
Taewon only stared into his eyes, torn between instinct and control. Then, quietly, he stood, carrying Jihyun to the bed.
He laid him down gently, pressing a kiss to his forehead like a vow.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?"
Jihyun nodded, firm despite his flushed cheeks.
That was all Taewon needed. His lips crushed against Jihyun's, hungry, unrestrained, devouring him.
Clothes slipped away piece by piece, until nothing remained between them.
Taewon's kisses trailed lower, worshipping every inch, his lips tracing Jihyun's jaw, his neck, his chest.
Jihyun trembled beneath him, breathless, cheeks crimson, clutching at his arms as desperate sounds escaped him.
"Taewon…" he whispered.
Pheromones thickened the air, wrapping them in heat. Taewon's lips curved faintly, teasing.
"Don't rush, Jihyun-ah. The night is still young."
He reached for the bedside drawer, pausing over the familiar box. But Jihyun's trembling hand pressed against his wrist.
"I… I don't need this," Jihyun whispered, determination breaking through his shyness.
Taewon froze, searching his face.
"Jihyun-ah"
"I'm yours. Don't hold back from me."Jihyun said flatly turning his head
The drawer shut softly.
Taewon leaned down, kissing him deeper, his hand cupping his cheek. His forehead pressed against Jihyun's, voice low, rough with restraint.
"Are you sure you're ready?"
Jihyun's eyes didn't waver.
"Don't ask again. I told you just do it."
Taewon's throat tightened.
"If it hurts, tell me. I won't let you suffer."
"I trust you, Taewon."
The words broke him.
His lips crashed down, lifting Jihyun's body against him, legs hooking around his waist. Slowly, carefully, he entered, watching every flicker of Jihyun's expression.
Jihyun's breath hitched, muffling a cry against his palm. His eyes wet.
Taewon caught his hand, lowering it, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.
"Bear with it. I'm here."
His pheromones wrapped around Jihyun, warm and protective, soothing the sting.
Jihyun clung to his shoulders, whispering shakily, "Don't stop."
The city lights outside blurred as the room drowned in heat.
Jihyun's gasps came fast, chest rising and falling against Taewon's steady frame.
"You're trembling,"
Taewon murmured against his temple, his pheromones commanding, wrapping Jihyun in safety even as his own body strained with control.
"I… ahh...I can't…" Jihyun's voice broke, tears threatening to spill.
"You can," Taewon coaxed, low and steady. "Breathe. I've got you."
But Jihyun's body quivered, instincts urging, his scent pulling Taewon deeper. His fingers dug into Taewon's shoulders, nails scraping skin as a broken whimper escaped.
"Taewon… I… I can't hold it anymore."
Taewon's arms tightened, his own restraint fraying. His breath came harsher, lips brushing Jihyun's damp skin.
"Shh… just a little more."
But Jihyun shook his head desperately, legs trembling. "No… I can't"
Something snapped inside Taewon. His hips pressed deeper, harder, the knock final, his pheromones flooding the room like a storm.
Jihyun's cry broke against his chest, body shaking, stomach tightening painfully at the overwhelming fullness.
His scent spiked sharp, desperate, tears spilling as he clung to Taewon.
Taewon's jaw clenched, breath ragged, voice trembling against his ear.
"Jihyun-ah… you'll ruin me."
Jihyun sobbed softly, yet his lips trembled into a smile. "Then be ruined. Only by me."
Taewon kissed him deeply, his strength finally breaking through restraint, yet every touch still gentle, protective.
When at last Jihyun collapsed against him, breathless and shaking, Taewon held him close, lips brushing his temple, whispering low.
"You're mine."
"Yes," Jihyun breathed faintly, clinging to him. "Only yours."