* * *
“Is Assistant Manager Kim talking crap again?”
His blunt words made Wookyung let out a short laugh.
“He said I’m Cinderella?”
“I think Princess Pyeonggang suits you better.”
Wookyung gave Saheon a look of disbelief at the unexpected one-up, but Saheon remained firm.
“I mean, isn’t it fitting? You took a useless idiot like me and helped me grow into someone respectable. That’s totally Princess Pyeonggang behavior.”
Wookyung shook his head as if to say “I give up,” but Saheon kept pushing his ‘Wookyung-as-Princess Pyeonggang’ theory.
Eventually, the earlier conversation with Assistant Manager Kim was forgotten as their teasing turned into a playful argument—until their lips finally met.
They kissed, slowly deepening it, but the moment was cut short by Wookyung’s phone vibrating insistently.
“You could just ignore it.”
Saheon muttered as their lips parted, annoyed.
But when he saw the name “Gil Woohyun” on the screen, he fell silent.
“It’s Woohyun hyung. I should answer.”
Seeing Saheon immediately change his tone once he realized it was his brother made Wookyung smile.
He kissed Saheon’s lips a few more times before answering.
Still, the vibration didn’t let up.
“He never picked up before, and now he’s calling?”
But what brought this call on all of a sudden?
Wookyung didn’t need long to figure it out.
Most likely, Woohyun had talked to his omega father.
Woohyun: What took you so long to pick up?
— I’ve been focused on research. But sounds like you’ve had quite the dramatic time lately?
Despite the sharp tone, Woohyun spoke cheerfully.
Then, he said something even more shocking without hesitation.
Woohyun: I heard you told Saheon you’re an omega? And that you two went through a heat cycle together?
Wookyung shot a sharp glance at Saheon.
Who else could’ve told Woohyun something like that?
But the next thing Woohyun said cleared it up.
Woohyun: I heard it from Im Haeran. You have no idea how happy I was. Seriously, you did good!
“…Ah.”
Im Haeran—she was the doctor who had treated him at the hotel before.
She’d mentioned being close with Woohyun, too.
Feeling guilty for misunderstanding, Wookyung silently mouthed an apology to Saheon.
Apparently reading his thoughts, Saheon tapped his cheek lightly with his finger, accepting the apology.
Me: Shouldn’t you be more surprised I wasn’t acting like an omega until recently, instead of the fact that I went through a heat with Saheon?
Woohyun: Of course I was. That’s why I’ve been researching so hard all this time.
Wookyung now realized that Woohyun had taken a job as a researcher to better understand his own condition.
Me: Thanks. I’m sorry, too—for making you worry all this time.
Maybe it was the sudden apology, but Woohyun went silent.
Wookyung could still hear his faint breathing, so the call hadn’t disconnected.
So he waited, eyes forward, as Saheon absentmindedly stroked his hair or toyed with his earlobe.
It wasn’t distracting—more like comforting.
Wookyung gently reached out and ran his fingers down Saheon’s arm, resting on the back of his hand.
Then, he laced their fingers together tightly.
Saheon met his eyes.
The warmth in their entwined hands spread.
Kiss. Kiss.
Starting from the back of his hand, Saheon kissed along each knuckle, then between the fingers, to the tips.
Woohyun: There’s nothing to be sorry about. Don’t say things like that.
Woohyun’s voice trembled slightly.
Me: I know how much I mean to you. I’ve ignored that for a long time. So this apology… it’s overdue. Please accept it.
Woohyun: Wookyung, I…
Me: Really. Thank you, hyung.
That must’ve been the breaking point.
Wookyung heard sniffling—Woohyun had started crying.
Saheon gently stroked the area beneath Wookyung’s eye with his thumb.
“Don’t cry.”
‘But I’m not crying. I’m not someone like Woohyun who shows emotions so openly.’
He knows that.
Still, he stayed by Wookyung’s side, as if to wipe away tears that weren’t there.
And honestly, it wasn’t so bad—so Wookyung let him.
Woohyun: I’m just so relieved. Really.
After a pause, Woohyun cautiously asked:
Woohyun: So… the whole heat cycle thing means you two are…?
Me: Yeah. Saheon and I are dating now. Thanks to you, actually.
Wookyung made sure to emphasize Woohyun’s role in helping them come together, and also let him know he and Saheon were serious about facing everything ahead—together.
Woohyun: Just trust Saheon. He’ll take care of everything.
Me: I do trust him. But that doesn’t mean everything’s fine.
Woohyun: If you trust him, then just wait. Oh—and Seokyung’s dad told me. Your memory’s back, huh?
He must’ve called Woohyun right after finishing the conversation with Han Seokyung.
Me: Yeah. So… thanks again.
Woohyun: No, I should be the one apologizing. I didn’t give you enough support before.
Just when Wookyung thought he’d calmed down, Woohyun started sniffling again.
How had someone this emotional managed to hold it in all this time?
Me: I was the one who messed up, not you. You did everything you could. So don’t beat yourself up over it. Let’s meet up once things calm down.
Woohyun: Okay. I’ll be there for your wedding, so don’t worry.
Wedding?
What’s he even saying now?
Wookyung ended the call with a shake of his head at the ridiculous comment.
“I’ll give him a proper call later,” he said, setting the phone down.
Saheon was already speaking before he could finish.
“You didn’t have to. I think dad already heard we’re dating. He said he’ll definitely attend the wedding.”
“As he should. Then we better meet our parents soon and pick a date.”
I made a joke, but he took it even further.
Wookyung gave Saheon a dumbfounded look, then tried to pull his hand away—the hand they’d still been holding up until now.
But it wouldn’t budge.
“What is this?”
“If we’re done talking, let’s go on a date.”
“A date?”
Wookyung checked the time right away.
The numbers had just flipped to 8 PM. It wasn’t exactly late yet.
Once they were back in Korea, time would probably be tight.
One night wouldn’t hurt.
“Sure.”
At the easy agreement, Saheon smiled happily.
The two left the hotel and got into the taxi that had been waiting.
It didn’t take long to arrive at their destination: a pier.
Tall buildings on either side glimmered with dazzling night lights—impressive, yes, but…
“What is this place?”
Wookyung looked around, confused.
“Let’s ride that.”
Saheon pointed with his hand.
A cruise ship sat in that direction.
People were boarding, but before long, the ship set off.
“Wait, it already left?”
“Not that one. That.”
Looking again, Wookyung noticed a smaller yacht docked nearby.
“That?”
“Yeah.”
“Seriously? When did you arrange that?”
It was clearly just big enough for two people.
Wookyung quickly realized Saheon must’ve booked it.
“Earlier.”
A short reply.
So much for thinking he’d been busy with work—clearly he’d been up to something else.
Whether Wookyung shot him a look or not, Saheon didn’t hide his excitement and tugged his boyfriend toward the waiting yacht.
[Welcome aboard. I’ll be your host tonight—Jack.]
After a cheerful greeting from the captain, the two stepped onto the deck.
Inside, there was a table for four, already set with wine and light snacks.
“Sit.”
Saheon gently guided Wookyung into a chair, then sat beside him.
[Alright then, we’re off!]
The yacht began to move slowly.
Wookyung stared blankly at the towering buildings glowing brilliantly in the night.
“Here.”
When he turned his head, Saheon was holding out a glass.
Just as Wookyung reached for it—his arm was bitten.
“What the—?”
“At least give me a kiss.”
Of course he wouldn’t just let it go.
When Wookyung narrowed his eyes, Saheon took the cue and gave him a quick kiss before finally handing over the glass.
“Thanks, for bringing me here.”
Wookyung suddenly clinked his glass against Saheon’s and offered his thanks.
“You too. Thanks.”
The answer came back just as easily.
Without much more conversation, the two enjoyed the night view as the boat drifted on.
The glittering cityscape was a perfect way to mark their final night in Chicago.
* * *
