The house was still quiet when Haneul woke.
The air in the room was cold, colder than usual.
Winter had settled heavily over everything sky grey, windows fogged, silence almost too thick to breathe in.
He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes.
His hair was messy, cheeks cold to the touch.
After washing his face, he looked around.
The room felt emptier than before.
There wasn't much to do.
He reached for the coat Bora had given him.
He pulled it on, but the fabric felt thin today.
The cold still seeped into his skin.
He hugged himself, rubbing his arms lightly.
He opened the small cupboard.
The few clothes inside were neatly folded all ones Bora had brought for him.
But nothing looked thick enough for this temperature.
He stayed quiet for a moment, lips pressed softly together.
Then he stepped outside his room.
At the same time, the door across the hallway opened.
Taekyun entered.
His hair was wet from mist, his expression unreadable, eyes cold from the morning air.
His steps were calm but heavy, like someone who had just come home after a long night.
Haneul blinked.
His heart sank a little.
Wasn't he home last night…?
Or did he leave again?
Where did he go…?
The thought came without control, and he scolded himself silently for caring at all.
Downstairs,
Liya had just come from the kitchen when she looked up and spotted Haneul.
He stood at the top of the stairs, one finger resting lightly near his lips, staring toward
Taekyun's room door as if stuck in a thought he couldn't step out of.
Liya climbed the stairs and reached him before he even noticed.
"What are you looking at?"
She asked loudly.
Haneul jumped, stepping back with a sharp inhale.
Liya placed a hand over her chest.
"Yaa! Why do you always get scared like this? You scared me!"
Haneul shook his head fast.
"I… I didn't mean. Sorry. I was looking for Bora."
Liya sighed, then continued,
"Bora didn't come today. She's on leave. Why?"
Haneul hesitated, then murmured,
"I'm cold… and I need some clothes."
Liya raised an eyebrow.
"Ohh. She'll be here tomorrow. Tell her then."
Haneul nodded quietly.
Before he could say anything else, the door behind them opened.
Taekyun stepped out.
He held the dustbin in one hand something he rarely carried himself.
Liya quickly ran forward, bowing deeply.
"Sorry, sir! Please let me I'll throw it. I forgot yesterday!"
Taekyun handed her the bin without a word, eyes shifting to Haneul.
Haneul stood there, swallowed by the big coat, the sleeves too long, the fabric thin on his small frame.
And right then just like before
it happened.
A soft wave of pheromones escaped Haneul's body.
Warm. Subtle. Almost trembling.
It brushed against Taekyun's neck like warm breath.
Taekyun's jaw clenched instantly.
Again.
Only he could feel it.
No one else.
Haneul had no idea.
Taekyun didn't speak immediately.
His eyes dragged down Haneul's figure once, then back to his face.
"Come with me,"
He said quietly.
Haneul's fingers tightened around his sleeves.
He followed him slowly.
Taekyun stepped into the room next to his own room and held the door.
Haneul slipped inside.
The door closed behind him.
The room was… strange.
Dark walls.
Black furniture.
Black couch.
Black table.
A cupboard with glass shelves filled with artificial pieces stone models, metallic structures, silent things arranged like exhibits in a museum.
It felt nothing like the rest of the house.
Haneul sat slowly on the couch.
Taekyun watched him for a few seconds.
Haneul's shoulders stiffened, a faint discomfort in his posture.
"I… I didn't do anything wrong,"
He said quietly.
Taekyun didn't answer.
Haneul swallowed and continued,
"I was just telling her about my clothes. I won't… get close to anyone next time."
Still no reaction on Taekyun's face.
When Taekyun finally spoke, his voice was low, almost too calm.
"Do you have a pheromone imbalance problem?"
Haneul blinked.
"…Huh?"
"Why," Taekyun asked slowly,
"do you release high-level pheromone waves whenever you see me?"
Haneul shook his head fast.
"I… I don't. I don't know."
Taekyun's throat tightened painfully.
He hated pheromones touching him uninvited.
Especially high-level ones.
Especially when they hit his Alpha senses directly it left an ache in his chest that wouldn't fade unless he touched the Omega who caused it.
Something that only partners triggered.
But why was Haneul doing this?
Was it intentional?
A manipulation?
A trick?
His anger wanted to explode, but the words that came out were nothing like the ones in his head.
"Try to control your pheromones,"
He said instead.
"If you can't, tell Bora and go to the hospital."
Haneul looked down.
"…Okay. Sorry."
Taekyun nodded once and stood to leave.
Haneul, still sitting, whispered,
"Can you… buy me some clothes?"
Taekyun turned.
He swallowed.
"Ask Bora. Whatever you need."
He moved to go, but Haneul called again.
"But… she's on leave today. And I'm cold."
Taekyun stopped.
He looked at him for a long moment.
Then said,
"Come."
He walked out, dialing Bora.
Haneul followed silently.
Taekyun opened his room door and looked back.
"Wait outside," he said.
Haneul stopped.
Taekyun stepped inside while talking to Bora.
His voice was firm, giving instructions.
Haneul waited.
But then he heard Taekyun say,
"…Yes, come in."
Haneul thought it was permission for him.
So he stepped inside quietly.
Taekyun was deep inside the dressing area of his room an enormous walk-in space
where everything was arranged with perfect order, like a gallery.
Rows of coats, shirts, shoes, ties. Everything pristine. Everything expensive.
The bedroom itself was white clean, simple, modern.
A king-sized bed.
Soft lighting.
A large framed wedding photo above the bed
Taekyun standing beside a woman, both in wedding attire, expressionless yet elegant.
Haneul froze for a moment.
Then he walked in slowly.
Taekyun took out a white warm coat from one section of the closet and turned around.
And almost flinched.
Haneul stood right behind him.
Eyes round.
Cheeks pink from cold.
Body swallowed in Bora's oversized coat.
Looking at him like a penguin lost in a museum.
Taekyun's breath caught.
And he couldn't move.