* * *
The impulsive trip to the East Sea was short, but enjoyable.
Despite his initial embarrassment, Wookyung ended up wearing the couple outfit without much thought as they walked along the beach, took pictures at an outdoor art exhibit filled with unique sculptures—some alone, some together.
Then he started sending them to someone, and when asked who he was messaging—
“My brother, Seokyung’s dad, and the chairman.”
“The chairman? Even your grandmother?”
That unexpected answer caught Saheon off guard.
Since when had they gotten so close?
He knew, of course, that Chairwoman Choi liked Wookyung.
His clean-cut appearance, calm demeanor—and more than anything, being the partner her grandson had longed for—made her hold a deep fondness for him.
But Wookyung hadn’t had much time to build rapport with her.
Even during the formal family introduction, the chance was minimal due to CEO Choi’s interference.
“Yeah. I figured she might be curious.”
Seeing Wookyung take care of something even he hadn’t thought of left Saheon momentarily speechless.
“You think she’d care?”
“Of course. Seokyung’s dad always says she’s wondering how you’re doing. He keeps telling me to text her sometimes.”
Saheon’s grandmother—Chairwoman Choi—wasn’t the type to say things like that.
If she wanted to know something, she’d just tell her secretary to find out.
Even back when he was living in the U.S., her secretary would occasionally visit to check how he was doing, if he lacked anything, or if there were any issues.
But that was it.
She never called or texted herself.
“I didn’t really keep in touch either. So Seokyung’s dad probably said that out of concern. But now that she knows we’re going to get married, I thought she’d like it if I told her how we’re doing.”
Wookyung rarely shows emotion in his expressions.
That’s why people often see him as aloof, with clear boundaries.
He doesn’t talk much, nor is he outgoing, so those traits stand out more.
But if you observe him quietly like this, it becomes clear—he knows what he needs to do, what he can do.
“Thank you.”
Saheon felt a satisfying warmth inside, knowing he understood this side of Wookyung better than anyone.
It even made him think—maybe Wookyung only showed his true self to him.
“You’re not supposed to thank me. I’m just telling you to do it too. You said yourselves you won’t visit often after we get married, so the least you can do is this, right?”
“Yeah. Got it.”
Even just that would probably make Chairwoman Choi genuinely happy.
Saheon knew.
He knew why she never visited in person.
“There’s no reason to worry anymore, so I should reach out more often from now on.”
“No reason?”
Wookyung tilted his head as if asking what that meant.
“She didn’t visit when I was in the U.S. because she was worried about me.”
Even sending him abroad hadn’t been enough to ease her anxiety.
She feared that if she showed even a slight interest, it could give other relatives an excuse to target him.
That’s why she only ever checked on him through her secretary.
Even though Saheon had grown up and now had the power and status to protect himself, Chairwoman Choi still behaved as if he were fragile.
It was both out of love and out of habit—habits forged over many years.
Maybe Saheon was the same.
“She really does worry about everything.”
The person who made him realize all this was right in front of him—with that calm, matter-of-fact tone.
“Yeah… Thanks.”
Saheon looked at Wookyung again.
Why hadn’t he realized sooner?
That someone like this—someone who could change him—had been so close all along.
If only he’d realized before…
Before ninth grade.
Before Wookyung suffered that violent episode and lost his memories.
Before Saheon had to suddenly part ways with his parents.
“You’re not supposed to thank me.”
“I know.”
When things hurt or got hard, maybe they could have endured it together, held each other, comforted each other.
It wasn’t just about healing each other’s wounds.
What Saheon truly wanted with Wookyung for a long, long time was—
“I love you.”
He expressed his feelings without holding back, but maybe it came too suddenly.
Wookyung blinked in surprise, like he was caught off guard.
But then he smiled as if to say you’re impossible.
“Yeah. I love you too.”
Receiving that sentiment willingly, Saheon felt his heart swell with satisfaction again.
He reached out and wrapped his arms around his Omega, who was now his to embrace anytime.
The warmth of his body and the faint, sweet scent of his pheromones were comforting.
Soon he felt arms wrapping around his waist too, and closed his eyes.
“I really do love you.”
He lowered his face and pressed a kiss to Wookyung’s smooth forehead.
Then rubbed between his brows, trailed down the bridge of his nose, and nipped at the tip.
“Ah…”
He could feel Wookyung’s cheeks lift as he winced.
The arms around his waist tightened slightly, but the lack of resistance made Saheon bolder.
He licked the tip of Wookyung’s nose where he’d just nipped, moved down along the philtrum, and gently sucked his upper lip.
A soft breath slipped out through the parting lips.
Greedily, he swallowed that breath and then mouthed the lower lip.
This time, soft heated flesh pressed back against him.
It didn’t take long for their tongues to entwine.
Wet breaths, sticky panting, and the slick textures mingled as Saheon pushed deeper.
Past teeth, inside was hotter, richer.
As he indulged in the taste, he caressed Wookyung’s ears, tousled his hair, and gently stroked the downy nape of his neck.
“Hnng… mm, mm…”
As the kiss deepened, Wookyung’s breathing grew ragged, small moans slipping through.
Unbothered, Saheon shifted his angle and became more assertive with his tongue.
Every time, pheromones burst like blossoms, soaking the air with their intoxicating scent.
It shook Saheon’s restraint.
“Haa… haa…”
Their lips parted in a thin, wet line.
They stared silently, then went right back to kissing.
This time, their hands busied themselves removing clothes.
Shirts unbuttoned, belts undone, underwear tugged downward—each touch hurried.
Palms roamed across bare skin, caressing, searching for where they needed to be.
Wookyung’s hand moved to the center, grasping both Saheon’s and his own.
He stroked them together, up and down, gradually building tension, then pressed the two lengths together and began rubbing them in unison.
Saheon brought his hand up to Wookyung’s lips.
He knew they should be using lubricant, but the simpler thought—that he didn’t want to be separated from his Omega—led him to moisten his fingers with his partner’s mouth instead.
Chup, chuup, chup.
Lewd sounds rolled off his tongue.
Saheon couldn’t tell whether the tingling at his fingertips was from the warm, soft flesh licking his skin, or the delicately curved eyes that bent so prettily each time their gazes met.
“Hu, haa, ha…”
Maybe it was the flushed, breathy moans that continuously reached his ears.
His mouth felt dry.
Just moments ago, he was sure he had swallowed Wookyung’s breath and saliva, making his mouth wet—yet now it was parched.
As he hurriedly moved his fingers, Wookyung let out a strained whimper, his brows knitting in discomfort.
He even tried to push the restless fingers away.
Saheon played with Wookyung’s tongue briefly, then withdrew his fingers.
“I’m going in.”
He murmured into Wookyung’s ear as he moved his slick fingers between his cheeks.
His lips deliberately brushed against his ear, catching sight of the reddened ear rim and the trembling earlobe.
At the same moment he gently bit the tip of Wookyung’s ear, he pushed a finger inside.
Entry was easier than expected; the inside was warm and slick.
The realization that his Omega had already been fully prepared to receive him filled Saheon with a deep sense of satisfaction.
“Wookyung.”
He lifted his lips from the ear, then traced his tongue along the bumpy inner shell.
Wookyung shuddered, clearly ticklish.
A sweet scent rose to Saheon’s nose.
A lazy, uncharacteristic smile played across Saheon’s lips.
Then came a blunt phrase, unlike the usual him.
“You’re aroused, aren’t you?”
Wookyung’s eyes widened instantly.
The moment Saheon caught the flustered heat in them, he withdrew his fingers in one swift motion.
“Ah…!”
At the same moment, his fully aroused member, which had been waiting impatiently, penetrated the space already aching for him.
* * *
