* * *
On the day of the regular film screening, even amidst the pheromones of an Omega in heat, the way he worried about and protected only Yoonwoo became a clear answer to Yoonwoo’s deepest fear.
The fear that “an Alpha will eventually follow their instincts and go to an Omega”—at least in the case of Joowon, maybe that fear didn’t apply.
Holding onto that small but firm hope, Yoonwoo cautiously reached out to Joowon.
And so, they began a clumsy and careful romance.
Their first date was nothing short of awkward.
Yoonwoo was nervous the entire time, fidgeting with his teacup, unsure of what to say.
Joowon, being considerate, gently led the conversation with safe, light topics like movies, design, and the weather.
With Joowon’s steady and unhurried approach, Yoonwoo slowly started to relax.
As they met a few more times, pulling late nights working on assignments or walking home together to Yoonwoo’s small, shabby goshiwon, Yoonwoo finally found himself able to speak at length about his work.
Joowon praised Yoonwoo’s talent without reservation, respected his sensitive artistic sensibilities, and listened earnestly to his stories.
Their relationship deepened one late night.
That evening, as always, Joowon walked Yoonwoo back to his cramped room after they had stayed late at school.
Seeing Joowon hesitating like he didn’t want to part yet, Yoonwoo mustered all his courage and invited him inside for the first time.
In the dark, narrow room, the two faced each other in silence.
In that awkward moment, Joowon gently reached out, held Yoonwoo’s hand, and kissed the back of it.
Yoonwoo’s heart began to race.
He didn’t resist Joowon’s lead, and naturally, their lips met as they sought each other’s warmth.
But as soon as their bodies touched, a wave of anxiety crashed over Yoonwoo.
He instinctively pulled back from Joowon’s chest.
His body was trembling slightly.
“…Because I’m… a Beta…”
His voice was barely audible.
“Are you okay with that, hyung? I mean… I’m not like an Omega… I don’t get wet on my own… I don’t have pheromones… What if you can’t get aroused or… what if you’re disappointed…”
He couldn’t finish his sentence.
The fear that his Beta body wouldn’t be enough to satisfy an Alpha like Joowon, and that Joowon would eventually grow tired of him and leave—that deep-rooted fear overtook him.
Joowon immediately sensed Yoonwoo’s unease.
He gently wrapped his arms around Yoonwoo’s trembling shoulders and whispered in his ear.
“It’s okay, Yoonwoo. What are you worried about?”
His voice was endlessly kind and warm.
He softly lifted Yoonwoo’s chin, bringing their eyes to meet.
“Because you’re a Beta? That doesn’t matter to me at all.”
His gaze was steady and sincere.
“I’m happy right now because I’m with you, Seo Yoonwoo. Nothing else matters. Just take me in, however you feel comfortable.”
Joowon slowly ran his hand along Yoonwoo’s back, trying to ease his tension.
He didn’t rush.
Instead, Joowon kissed Yoonwoo gently, taking his time so that Yoonwoo could focus solely on him and feel at ease.
Knowing that Betas, unlike Omegas, don’t self-lubricate, he reached for lotion on the desk and carefully prepared him with his fingers, watching Yoonwoo’s reactions.
Every touch, every action was filled with tenderness and deep respect.
Little by little, Yoonwoo relaxed in Joowon’s arms and allowed himself to accept him.
Their first time wasn’t wild—it was warm.
Rather than seeking pleasure, it was more a confirmation of their feelings for each other.
Afterward, Joowon brushed the sweat-dampened hair from Yoonwoo’s forehead and kissed it softly.
“…Hyung. Please be honest with me. Wasn’t it hard… because I’m a Beta? I don’t have pheromones like an Omega… I was scared I couldn’t satisfy you properly…”
Yoonwoo’s trembling voice held the raw insecurity of a Beta who feared his body wasn’t enough for his Alpha lover.
Sensing Yoonwoo’s tremble, Joowon held him tighter and whispered in the gentlest voice in the world:
“You were perfect, Yoonwoo. And don’t worry—pheromones or not, I’ll be having sex only with you for the rest of my life. You’re the only one in my world.”
Those words brought Yoonwoo a deep sense of relief he hadn’t felt in a long time.
That night, in Joowon’s arms, he thought—maybe it was okay to trust this Alpha just a little more.
Sometimes, Yoonwoo would shrink without realizing it—just because he was a Beta dating a dominant Alpha, receiving judgmental glances from society.
In those moments, Joowon would hold his hand tighter and whisper into his ear:
“Didn’t I tell you? You’re the only one in my world. Don’t pay attention to what anyone else thinks.”
His unwavering voice and firm reassurance became an irreplaceable comfort to Yoonwoo.
Slowly, by Joowon’s side, he began to step out of the shadows of his past and relearn how to smile from the heart.
Through Joowon’s consistent affection and unchanging demeanor, Yoonwoo experienced, for the first time in his life, a true sense of stability.
With Joowon, he no longer needed to feel insecure or small just because he was a Beta.
Time passed, and Yoonwoo was nearing graduation.
He was the top of his class with overwhelming skill, but reality hit hard.
The design industry was still centered around Alphas and Omegas, and as a Beta, good opportunities were rare.
He applied to several well-known companies, but the results were disheartening.
One Alpha interviewer glanced over his portfolio and said, “It’s good… but can a Beta really maintain that kind of creative instinct? And without pheromones, I’m not sure if you’d be able to communicate well with the team.”
The bias in his voice was obvious. Other companies acknowledged his talent but rejected him in the final rounds, citing “teamwork issues.”
Yoonwoo gradually grew weary, teetering once again on the edge of despair over his genetic identity.
“Don’t be upset, Yoonwoo. I know better than anyone how talented you are.”
Joowon, who had already graduated and was settling into his career, comforted him with a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
But even he couldn’t hide his frustration at how Yoonwoo’s talent wasn’t being fairly recognized.
He knew Yoonwoo had the power to create designs that could stun the world.
To see someone so brilliant be denied opportunities just for being a Beta—it made his blood boil.
His anger reminded Yoonwoo of the night Joowon had stood up for him at the library.
One day, after yet another rejection from a top design agency, Yoonwoo collapsed onto his bed at the goshiwon, defeated.
Joowon took his hand and spoke with quiet determination.
“I’ll start a company.”
“…What?”
Yoonwoo looked up at him, shocked.
“To a place where you can design freely. A company where you’re judged solely by your skills, not by others’ opinions. We can build it. Let’s do it together, Yoonwoo.”
His eyes were filled with unwavering conviction.
That was how CS Design began.
Joowon used his business knowledge, network, and absolute faith in Yoonwoo’s talent to found the company.
It all started in a small officetel room, but their passion was intense.
Yoonwoo had hesitated at first, but seeing Joowon bravely take on a new challenge just for him gave him the courage to take his hand.
CS Design was an ideal space where their passion and talents came together.
Joowon used his sharp business sense to lay the foundation and attract clients, while Yoonwoo, under Joowon’s wholehearted support, unleashed his creativity.
They worked day and night, growing the company together.
They tackled demanding client requests side by side, pulled all-nighters to meet tight deadlines, comforted each other after long nights, and celebrated even small victories like children as they envisioned a better future.
Yoonwoo’s designs—refined, stylish, and insightful—quickly gained attention in the industry.
The company grew rapidly.
They were the perfect team, indispensable to each other.
As the company reached stability, their relationship deepened.
Yoonwoo moved out of his tiny gosiwon into a cozy, sunlit officetel—a warm home that reflected both of their tastes.
On weekend mornings, Joowon would clumsily make pancakes while Yoonwoo quietly brewed coffee beside him.
In the evenings, they sat side by side on the sofa watching movies or fell asleep leaning against each other in silence.
Even amidst his busy schedule, Joowon always took care of Yoonwoo with gentle attentiveness.
Yoonwoo, in turn, found comfort in Joowon’s love and slowly forgot the emptiness of his past.
In that simple, ordinary daily life, their love took deep root.
They built a strong bond, grounded in the comfort and stability they gave each other.
Even Joowon’s rut cycles no longer made Yoonwoo uneasy.
As promised, Joowon always started taking strong suppressants several days in advance, strictly managing himself.
Sometimes he seemed more irritable or exhausted due to side effects, but never once did he show discomfort in front of Yoonwoo.
“This is so much better than making you feel anxious.”
He always said that, reassuring Yoonwoo.
“And the doctor said that as long as I manage it well with suppressants, even an Alpha can live in a stable relationship with a Beta. I’m confident, Yoonwoo. As long as I’m with you.”
His determined tone swept away the last of Yoonwoo’s lingering doubts.
For eight years, Joowon had never once broken that promise.
Though Yoonwoo sometimes felt guilty, he came to trust Joowon completely, seeing how he willingly suppressed even his instincts for him.
He now had full faith in Joowon.
Within a few years, CS Design had firmly established itself as a capable design firm.
Their work won several design awards, and they kept landing major corporate projects, climbing to new heights.
People began to take notice of the young Alpha CEO and the talented Beta designer’s successful partnership.
Of course, there were still some who viewed their relationship with prejudice—but nothing could shake Yoonwoo anymore.
With Joowon by his side—someone who fully believed in and supported him—he was able to stand tall in the world with his talent alone.
Eight years. In that time, Yoonwoo had laughed, cried, fought, made up, and loved with Joowon.
The once unstable young man had grown into a recognized designer in his field, with a loving partner who never changed. He was truly happy.
He firmly believed this stable happiness would last forever.
Right up until yesterday.
* * *
