Alpha Trauma

Dohyeon spoke in a gentle voice and naturally picked up the utensils. He didn’t hesitate about what to start with, nor did he fumble or seem flustered. From the scattered dishes, he precisely chose an appetizer and began eating with his usual neat movements.At times, Wooyeon thought that Dohyeon acted a bit too polished. He never crossed his legs, rested his chin on his hand, slouched while sitting, or walked awkwardly. Just like Wooyeon had once been, Dohyeon’s perfectly trained posture indicated the kind of environment he had been raised in.“…Would you like some champagne?”Feeling a sudden wave of melancholy, Wooyeon reached for the champagne in the middle of the table. He hesitated, unsure how to open the cork, when Dohyeon let out a small laugh and stood up. He gently took the champagne from Wooyeon’s hands and spoke in a soft voice.“If we drink this, I won’t be able to drive.”It suddenly hit Wooyeon that Dohyeon had come by car. He couldn’t drink and drive, and Wooyeon couldn’t suggest calling a driver for him. Of course, it would be ridiculous to ask him to stay the night, so offering champagne had been a clear mistake. Just as Wooyeon was about to retract the offer, Dohyeon gave a subtle smile.“Are you really okay with this?”“…With what?”A strange sense of unease washed over him. Even though Dohyeon was smiling kindly, Wooyeon had a feeling that unkind words would follow. The gentle voice sent a chill down his spine.“You know what I mean.”Dohyeon glanced at the champagne label and replied nonchalantly, “This has a surprisingly high alcohol content.” There was that familiar dry tone, and Wooyeon instinctively straightened his back, waiting for what was next.“You remember, don’t you, Wooyeon?”Wooyeon’s eyes widened. Dohyeon smiled at him warmly, his eyes curving in that familiar, serene way.“…Remember?”Wooyeon pretended to be calm as he asked back. His mind went blank, and his scalp tingled, but all he could do was play it cool. After a few deep breaths, the trembling of his eyelashes subsided.“What… do I remember?”His gaze slowly wandered over the food. Despite being hungry earlier, his stomach now felt heavy. His hand moved mechanically, but he had no intention of actually putting any food into his mouth.Watching Wooyeon, Dohyeon quietly asserted, “You should have asked that question sooner.”His voice was firm, as if he had no intention of letting Wooyeon feign ignorance. He peeled off the plastic from the champagne cork and smiled leisurely.“Your timing was off.”Timing? Wooyeon couldn’t ask that. Before he could even protest, Dohyeon continued.“When I asked, ‘Do you remember?’”“…”“You should’ve asked, ‘What did I do?’ instead of saying, ‘No.’”Wooyeon felt the blood drain from his face. He was suddenly overwhelmed by the urge to pop the bottle open and gulp it down before Dohyeon could say anything else, thinking that maybe, just maybe, it would help him escape this situation.“You’re too clumsy to fool anyone.”As if reading his thoughts, Dohyeon expertly opened the champagne, loosening the wire and twisting the cork slowly, almost teasingly. The deliberate pace of his hands made Wooyeon’s face flush.“Let go.”Why did the memory have to cut off at such an inconvenient point? It would have been better if, like during the college retreat, he had forgotten everything.The sensation of a hand gripping his wrist, the feeling of something rubbing over his underwear, the touch of bare skin being grasped without hesitation.“You were embarrassed, weren’t you, Wooyeon?”Wooyeon did remember. To be precise, he only remembered what they did. He had no memory of the context, the events before or after, but the moment Dohyeon touched him, his awareness snapped back.In truth, it was inevitable. For someone like Wooyeon, who didn’t even engage in self-pleasure, Dohyeon’s touch had been overwhelmingly intense and stimulating. By the time his body had adjusted to the unfamiliar sensation, his rational mind had already taken flight in a different direction.“I… well…”Wooyeon stammered, his gaze nervously wandering. He knew Dohyeon wouldn’t believe him, but he also couldn’t bring himself to admit the truth. Predictably, Dohyeon offered some kindly advice with a benevolent smile.“Explaining it in words isn’t difficult.”His tone suggested he’d be more than willing to help Wooyeon out. This time, Wooyeon silently lowered his head, his face and neck flushed bright red, radiating embarrassment. The pheromones he was unconsciously emitting showed just how humiliated he was. Dohyeon casually placed the cork on the table and handed the champagne to Wooyeon.“I’m planning to continue this conversation…”The neck of the champagne bottle seemed unusually tempting. A faint mist from the bubbles drifted in the air. Dohyeon gave a subtle nod toward the overturned wine glass, inviting him.“Would you like a drink?”* * *When it comes to clearing your mind, nothing works better than alcohol. Wooyeon, having long understood that simple truth, didn’t hesitate to accept the champagne. One glass, two glasses, then three. As promised, the alcohol content wasn’t too high, but before long, he began to feel tipsy.In contrast, while Wooyeon grew more and more dazed, Dohyeon didn’t touch a single drop. He merely refilled Wooyeon’s glass, or drank water, blending into the atmosphere perfectly.“…How did you even know?”It was only when Wooyeon’s mind had grown hazy that he asked, his eyes glassy with emotion. Embarrassment, shame, awkwardness, and even a little resentment. Dohyeon smiled, looking slightly troubled under Wooyeon’s accusatory gaze.“Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”Dohyeon seemed genuinely surprised that Wooyeon hadn’t realized. His expression asked if Wooyeon really believed he hadn’t noticed. Wooyeon secretly curled his fingers under the table.“Of course, you weren’t supposed to know.”The day Wooyeon woke up in Dohyeon’s bed, he had been sure that his act had been flawless. Although he’d seemed flustered, that was a normal reaction after drinking too much the night before, wasn’t it?“Besides, I didn’t remember what happened at the retreat either…”He had already once blacked out completely. He had picked a fight with a senior, cursed in English—all things he didn’t remember at all.Wait, what if Dohyeon thought he remembered back then too? Panicked by the sudden thought, Wooyeon quickly added, “I’m not lying about that.”Dohyeon smirked, his eyes narrowing as he found amusement in Wooyeon’s words.“Yeah… you really didn’t remember that time.”“…That?”A furrow formed on Wooyeon’s brow. He had a feeling that the “that” Dohyeon was referring to was different from what he knew. Dohyeon let out a faint smile, murmuring, “How could you expect me not to know after all this?”“…Sunbae,” Wooyeon spoke quietly, glancing at Dohyeon with a look of frustration. His overall appearance was gentle and kind, but his dark eyes carried a hint of indifference. That subtle gap made him feel almost unreal.“Why are you so sharp?” Wooyeon asked.To him, Dohyeon was exceptionally skilled at reading others’ emotions. He could sense the mood, grasp what the other person wanted, say the right things, and get what he desired. It was mostly comforting to Wooyeon, though there were times when Dohyeon would hit the nail on the head, catching him off guard.“You get good at anything you’re used to,” Dohyeon replied, eyeing the remaining champagne and observing Wooyeon’s face. His gaze slowly swept over Wooyeon’s features, as if checking whether or not he was drunk. Wooyeon’s mind was slightly fuzzy, but he wasn’t drunk enough to forget everything.“Why did you get used to it?”“Well…”It seemed like Dohyeon didn’t want to tell him. When they were studying together, he sometimes gave vague answers like this. About things like his ideal type, his first love, or even his food preferences—small personal details.“This isn’t what we should be talking about,” Dohyeon said firmly.Wooyeon sulked, his eyelashes drooping. It bothered him more that Dohyeon hadn’t answered his question than whatever he was about to say. But of course, the frustration vanished the moment Dohyeon opened his mouth again.“How much do you remember?”Though he had avoided answering, his question was blunt. The slight buzz from the alcohol vanished in an instant, leaving Wooyeon nervously rubbing the bottom of his wine glass, thinking over his reply.“I don’t remember everything, but…”No words seemed appropriate to say. He couldn’t exactly say, “I remember when Sunbae touched me.” But he couldn’t pretend he didn’t know, either. If he could, he’d drink enough to pass out, but Dohyeon still had the champagne bottle.“I just remember bits and pieces…”This was a moment when Wooyeon desperately needed the effects of alcohol. One more drink, and he might be able to spill everything. Though he knew future Wooyeon would curse him for it.“Can I have one more drink?”Dohyeon hesitated for a moment, then handed over the champagne bottle willingly. He seemed about to pour it for Wooyeon, but Wooyeon snatched the bottle with both hands. Dohyeon chuckled lightly at how quickly the bottle was taken from him.“If you drink all that, you’ll get drunk.”Wooyeon knew it too. He wasn’t a strong drinker, and if he finished the bottle, he’d definitely be drunk. But the desire to avoid the current situation was stronger. Dohyeon watched Wooyeon drink, as if daring him to go ahead.“Just…”Wooyeon waited until the buzz started to hit, then calmly met Dohyeon’s gaze. It seemed like Dohyeon had no intention of ending the conversation, while Wooyeon wanted nothing more than to move past this topic. He didn’t even know what he’d been thinking back then, so how could they continue this conversation?“It was just a drunken mistake.”“…A drunken mistake?”For some reason, Dohyeon’s pheromones grew heavier. His usually soft voice hardened slightly. A dry, barren energy surrounded him as his lips twisted into a faint smile.“Oh, a drunken mistake.”His monotonous voice sounded oddly eerie. Wooyeon instinctively stiffened, swallowing his words. Dohyeon’s smile grew slightly, and he spoke softly.“Then you would’ve done the same with anyone else, right?”The gentle tone belied the sharp meaning of his words. “Anyone else?” Wooyeon didn’t quite understand, but before he could ask, Dohyeon answered kindly.“Like Denny, maybe?”It was such a random name. Denny, who was probably sound asleep in the U.S., had no reason to come up in this conversation. Wooyeon couldn’t hide his confusion and asked in a startled voice.“Why would I do that with Denny?”The response came immediately, as though Dohyeon had been waiting for it.“Then why did you do it with me?”Wooyeon’s mouth opened and closed in shock. He finally realized the flaw in what he had just said. The alcohol had hit him harder, though he couldn’t tell if it was from intoxication or embarrassment. Dohyeon spoke calmly.“Wooyeon.”His voice was so attractive it tugged at Wooyeon’s stomach. Sweet, smooth, and resonating in his ears, it brought back faint memories of that night. When Dohyeon whispered into his ear, his arousal heightened with each word.“What were you thinking when we watched that movie?”Wooyeon’s gaze wavered like there was an earthquake. The words “watching that movie” instantly brought a certain memory to mind. The screen filled with skin, moans flooding the speakers, and one vivid scene overlapped in his mind.“Ah… Yes, oh…”Someone had been moaning while moving their hips. It was embarrassing, even for Wooyeon, who wasn’t some teenager just going through puberty.Dohyeon, noticing the change in Wooyeon’s expression, drove the point home.“Tell me what you’re thinking right now.”“…”Wooyeon gripped the champagne bottle, pouring its contents into his empty glass. Dohyeon looked slightly startled as he watched him down the drink in one swift motion.“…!”It only took three gulps. Dohyeon didn’t even have time to stop him. Gulp, gulp, gulp. Wooyeon swallowed the entire glass and set it down with determination. Not long after, with a thud, his forehead hit the table as he passed out.When faced with a crisis, people make different choices. Some try to resolve the situation, others get angry, and some simply ignore it. Wooyeon was the type to avoid confrontation at all costs.Until the moment he downed the champagne, his mind was filled with one thought: “I want to escape.” “I wish I could disappear into thin air.” “I need a hole to crawl into.” “I want to go back in time and erase everything.”Naturally, Wooyeon chose the most practical option—escape. Like a lizard cutting off its tail to flee, he threw himself into the moment without thinking. It might have been reckless, but it was better than enduring a sober conversation with Dohyeon.He didn’t know why Dohyeon had brought up that topic, and he didn’t want to know. Even if he did, nothing would change. His last memory, before passing out, was of Dohyeon’s face—a faintly disappointed expression.As the pale dawn light crept in, Wooyeon woke up with a pounding headache. His dreams had been too vivid, and waking up didn’t feel refreshing at all. He curled up again, planning to go back to sleep when he felt an unfamiliar warmth next to him.“……”Wooyeon very slowly lifted his eyelids. His eyes, dry from the morning, gradually began to focus. Familiar room, familiar blanket, familiar ceiling, and familiar fingers. No, to be precise, two right hands clasped together.Squirming, Wooyeon moved his fingers. One hand was his, but the other was not. The well-groomed fingernails at the end of the straight fingers were familiar. Whose hand is this, he thought, and just as he was about to pull his hand away—“You’re awake?”A low voice came from beside his head. The soft, drawn-out tone was one Wooyeon knew well. If his ears weren’t mistaken, the voice belonged to his teacher.Feeling like his heart might stop, Wooyeon slowly lifted his head. Through his shifting vision, the familiar sight came into view. Dohyeon was leaning against the headboard, looking at his phone. His sleepy eyes glanced lazily in Wooyeon’s direction.“Are you with it now?”“……!”Wooyeon’s drowsiness fled instantly. His pupils dilated, and his whole body stiffened. It wasn’t just because Dohyeon was right in front of him. It was because Dohyeon, who had lent him his hand while holding his phone, wasn’t wearing anything on his upper body.The broad, defined shoulders extending below a prominent collarbone made his torso look sturdy. Even with clothes on, Wooyeon had sensed the man had a well-built body. Without thinking, his gaze trailed down, spotting the firm muscles of his abs. Startled, Wooyeon shot up, sitting upright.“Why… why are you dressed like that?”Wooyeon’s wide eyes were full of suspicion. Hastily letting go of Dohyeon’s hand, Wooyeon scooted to the edge of the bed, as if trying to flee before Dohyeon could grab him. Seeing the reaction as though he were some kind of criminal, Dohyeon raised an incredulous eyebrow.“You’re the one to talk, dressed like that?”“……”It was then that Wooyeon realized something. The area between his legs felt oddly bare. Not just his legs—his neck and shoulders, too. He stared down at himself in a daze, seeing that he was only wearing a robe.“Why am I dressed like this?”Wooyeon hastily pulled the robe’s lapels together, his legs drawing closer as he tried to cover himself. Though the belt was half-untied, he didn’t even think to fix it properly. Watching him, Dohyeon’s lips curved into a sly smile.“So, this is what it looks like when you can’t remember.”He moved slowly, so as not to startle Wooyeon, and reached out, untying the tangled belt and retying it in a neat bow. Wooyeon crouched defensively, eyes wide open, and only relaxed slightly after Dohyeon moved away. He glanced around awkwardly, trying to avoid eye contact.“……”“……”An odd tension filled the room, lingering in the air between them. The faint mix of pheromones added to the awkwardness. As silence dragged on, Wooyeon suddenly became aware of one more unsettling fact.“Oh my god…”He wasn’t wearing any underwear. The robe’s fabric pressing against his bare skin was unmistakable. Why was he in this state? His head spun as he tried to piece together the fragments of memory.“What were you thinking while watching the movie?”Yesterday, after hearing those words, Wooyeon had decided he needed to pass out immediately. So, he drank champagne. Then, as planned, he let his mind go blank. He hadn’t thought about what might happen afterward. But he never imagined he’d wake up in bed like this.“What… no, what’s going on here?”Wooyeon’s voice came out in halting fragments, as if he were struggling to speak. His voice dropped so low, it almost sounded like he was on the verge of tears. Dohyeon, eyes narrowing, swept his hair back and pulled the blanket off.“What do you think is going on?”Unlike Wooyeon, Dohyeon was fully dressed from the waist down.Dohyeon turned his back, stretching his shoulders as he climbed out of bed. Wooyeon, momentarily mesmerized, found himself staring at Dohyeon’s back. His physique wasn’t overly muscular, but toned enough. Every time he moved, his back muscles rippled, reminding Wooyeon of being carried on that very back. His face flushed as he recalled the memory. Then, something caught his eye.“A… tattoo?”From his shoulder to his shoulder blade, a long tattoo stretched across his back. It wasn’t a design but some kind of text. Wooyeon, proficient in English, couldn’t read it, which likely meant it was in another foreign language.Dohyeon absentmindedly rubbed his shoulder, trailing off as he spoke.“Oh, that…”His thick fingers traced the tattoo slowly. It was a simple, meaningless gesture, yet watching it made Wooyeon feel oddly flustered. Embarrassed, he averted his gaze, realizing there were more pressing matters at hand. Nervously, he moved his lips.“Uh… I don’t know what’s going on, so… that’s why I’m asking…”His mind was spinning. There were so few reasons why he would be in a robe, why Dohyeon was like this, and why they were both in the same bed. No matter how much he thought about it, only a few explanations came to mind.So, Wooyeon decided to ask about the most pressing concern.“Did we… sleep together again?”“Again?”Dohyeon repeated the word, his eyes locked onto Wooyeon’s. His dark eyes glimmered with something indecipherable. For a brief moment, his brow furrowed, before a thin smile tugged at his lips.“What do you mean, again?”“……”Once again, it had come back to that same question. Wooyeon realized, despairingly, that there was no champagne this time to escape with.Alcohol had been his downfall. How was it that every time he drank, he ended up creating memories he desperately wanted to forget? Next time he drank, he thought, maybe it was time to leave “Wooyeon” behind and embrace “Sunwoo Yeon.”“You’re really trying to make me say it…”Wooyeon mumbled with a face as red as a tomato. His embarrassment had grown so intense, it was bordering on resentment. Why was Dohyeon still acting like he didn’t know, when they both clearly did?But Dohyeon responded firmly.“I need to hear it from you.”His face still held a soft smile, but his eyes had grown more serious. Rubbing his temples in what seemed like fatigue, Dohyeon looked down at Wooyeon from an angle. His hand, which had clearly been holding on to something all night, was now covered in bulging veins.“There may be reasons you’re not saying anything, but if you don’t, I won’t know a thing.”“……”“Just like you don’t know what we did last night.”Wooyeon felt a sharp pang in his chest. Unspoken secrets rose to the surface—his own, as well as the things Dohyeon had never told him. Hadn’t Wooyeon misunderstood him for years because he didn’t know Dohyeon was an Alpha?Sighing, Wooyeon finally exhaled a breath. It was more of a determined resolve than regret. After taking a breath or two to compose himself, Wooyeon met Dohyeon’s gaze with seriousness.“Did we sleep together?”Even though Wooyeon thought it was unlikely, he wasn’t completely certain. Dohyeon was an Alpha, and he was an Omega. They’d already done something similar once before, so now that they woke up together, naked, in the same bed, the situation inevitably led to these thoughts.“……”Dohyeon narrowed his eyes slightly, tilting his head. Wooyeon, feeling the piercing gaze fixed on him, bowed his head low and fiddled with his earlobe. Dohyeon was mostly covered, while Wooyeon, despite trying to cover himself clumsily, felt even more embarrassed.“I thought you wouldn’t remember, but…”The small muttering somehow sounded like an affirmation. Wooyeon’s head cooled down, and his heart dropped. Could it be? Had something really happened? Had he made some unmentionable mistake while drunk again?“Judging by the state of your body…”Dohyeon trailed off, covering his mouth. The exclamation that followed seemed like he had realized something. He briefly looked away before casting an ambiguous glance at Wooyeon.“You can tell by your body, right?”What kind of bizarre question was that? Wooyeon, with a confused look, asked, “What?” And at that very moment, Dohyeon’s lips curled into a smile.“Muscle soreness.”“…Muscle soreness?”It took a long time for Wooyeon to understand those words. With his mouth slightly agape, Wooyeon eventually realized what Dohyeon meant and gasped in shock. His already pale face grew even paler.“……”Come to think of it, his whole body ached. Especially in areas like his waist and pelvis, places that normally wouldn’t hurt. It wasn’t enough to interfere with daily life, but if it was muscle soreness, it certainly felt like it.“For real…”Wooyeon couldn’t finish the sentence and closed his mouth. Given the circumstances, it seemed certain they had slept together. But if Dohyeon confirmed it, there would be no escape from the truth.As Wooyeon fumbled anxiously for words, Dohyeon casually picked something up from the floor.“It’s probably better not to hear it from me.”In Dohyeon’s hand was a white T-shirt. If Wooyeon’s memory served him right, it was the shirt Dohyeon had worn the previous night. Wooyeon’s eyes widened as he felt like he might faint.“I’m leaving. Get some rest today.”With that, Dohyeon left Wooyeon’s room. There was no clear answer about whether they had slept together or not.Dohyeon had asked, “Can’t you tell by your body?” But unfortunately for Wooyeon, he had no comparison to make.* * *Wooyeon spent the entire weekend in a state of confusion. From whether he had actually slept with Dohyeon, to whether it was acceptable to do such a thing with someone drunk. He knew the teacher he was familiar with wouldn’t do that, but he didn’t have a solid reason to fully trust that assumption either.Had they slept together, or not? Conflicting thoughts clashed, presenting arguments every second. The former leaned on the visible circumstances as evidence, while the latter was based on the invisible trust he had in Dohyeon. Wooyeon weighed these two sides for a long time before finally resolving himself with the thought that he was also an Alpha.“I shouldn’t expect anything.”There’s nothing more fragile than an assumption that something didn’t happen. Wooyeon liked Dohyeon, but that didn’t change the fact that he was an Alpha. If Wooyeon had clung to him, releasing pheromones, there was a good chance Dohyeon had simply acted on instinct.As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Wooyeon felt a surge of regret. Even though his will hadn’t been involved, he felt more disappointed than upset. Now that things had come to this, he wished he could at least remember it. Having the experience of being held by the teacher might never come again.Wooyeon knew how foolish that thought was. Under normal circumstances, he should’ve been disappointed by the fact that someone had taken advantage of him while he was drunk. He should have been feeling anger and resentment, not reminiscing about Dohyeon’s firm chest.But as always, his heart couldn’t overpower his mind. Wooyeon already liked Dohyeon too much to hate him for something like this. Instead, he became fixated on the fact that Dohyeon had responded to him, and he even started to wonder if there was a small chance.Three days passed. After a sleepless night, Wooyeon noticed something off with his body on Tuesday morning. He immediately contacted his physician, who arrived at his house quickly and conducted several tests.“So… you’re saying the suppressant isn’t working?”“Yes, I took it yesterday too.”Even though he’d been taking his medication diligently, his body was unusually sensitive. His pheromones were fluctuating, and an inexplicable sexual urge kept rising. The reason he hadn’t been able to sleep the night before was because he vividly recalled the feeling of Dohyeon’s hands.“For now, it could be a temporary symptom. Keep taking your medication as usual, and according to the test results, there doesn’t seem to be any major issues. It would be best to rest at home until your condition improves.”The physician responded calmly as he rummaged through his bag. Judging by his slightly furrowed brow, it seemed he didn’t quite understand what the issue was. Rubbing the spot where blood had been drawn, Wooyeon carefully asked.“I’m hesitant to miss school, is there another option?”He could take a leave of absence, but today he had two major classes. It was difficult enough to keep up even when fully focused, so the thought of missing them was daunting. If he could just make it through today, he could ask his professors for some leeway and rest for the rest of the week.“I could give you an injection, but the effects wouldn’t last long…”The physician answered reluctantly, clearly not thrilled with the idea. “I wouldn’t recommend it,” he added, but Wooyeon was firm.“One day is all I need.”“…Alright, if you insist, I’ll give you the injection, but you must rest at home tomorrow. Understood?”The physician asked earnestly, and Wooyeon nodded in agreement.Everything discussed today would be reported to his mother, and if anything happened, the physician would likely be dismissed immediately. The physician, aware of this, was cautious about prescribing anything too lightly.“If you don’t mention the injection…”As Wooyeon mumbled to himself, the physician gave him a warm smile, explaining that he would indeed be fired if anything went wrong. He added with seriousness,“You have to be especially careful since you’re a dominant Alpha.”Since his manifestation, Wooyeon had heard this phrase countless times. Especially when he had just manifested, he heard it like a daily routine, up to three times a day. There was no need to repeat it; Wooyeon was already cautious enough.“You might feel a bit stiff.”The injection the physician administered was a temporary pheromone suppressant. It didn’t have many side effects, but frequent use could lead to resistance, so it was only used in emergencies. The effects would last exactly 12 hours, during which he needed to make it home.“I’ll check on you again tomorrow at the same time, so be careful at school.”The physician didn’t linger and packed his things, aware that Wooyeon wasn’t fond of long conversations. On his way out, he’d likely call Wooyeon’s mother to report everything in detail.“…I miss him”Wooyeon sighed deeply, pressing down on the bandaged spot on his arm. His head was already a mess, and now his heat cycle was an additional headache. He wanted to ask the physician if sexual activity could have contributed, but if he brought that up, he might be dragged back to his family’s home.* * *As soon as Wooyeon arrived at school, he visited his professors to submit a medical certificate. He worried they might think he was faking, but his usual diligent image worked in his favor. One professor, whom a teaching assistant had previously mentioned, even patted Wooyeon on the shoulder, telling him to reach out whenever necessary.After finishing his tasks, he naturally headed to the club room. He had arrived far too early, and Seonkyu was likely still asleep at home. At this time, at least the door would be open, so he could kill time there before attending his lecture.“There’s still no word…”Wooyeon, who had taken out his phone, trudged along. As the confusion began to subside, he felt a wave of disappointment that he hadn’t noticed before. The silence of his phone throughout the weekend only added to it.Even if it was just because of drinking, shouldn’t Dohyeon have reached out after what happened? Wooyeon may have been drunk, but Dohyeon was sober.“I won’t even be able to see him this week…”After today, he’d have to rest at home, which meant it would be at least a week before he could see him. He’d have to wait until next week to ask if they really did sleep together or confront him with, “Why did you do that to me, Sunbae?”The fact that he was the only one agonizing over it was suddenly frustrating and suffocating.“…Come on.”When Wooyeon arrived in front of the club room, he stopped in his tracks at the sound of Garam’s voice from inside. Lately, the door hadn’t been closing properly, and the door, which should have been shut, was left open about a centimeter. He thought about whether to mention it so it could be fixed as he reached for the handle.“Why are you trying to seduce Wooyeon?”A topic he couldn’t possibly ignore hit his ears like a hammer. Garam’s voice was so clear and articulate that there was no way to mishear it. Wooyeon froze, instinctively holding his breath.“…Me?”A slow response followed. It was a voice Wooyeon knew well, one that, if pheromones could leak out without suppression, would have filled the room by now. Despite being certain that he wouldn’t see Dohyeon until next week, there he was, just on the other side of the door. Wooyeon’s heart, which had already been trained to react to him, began pounding louder and louder.“The way you act is exactly like you’re trying to seduce him.”Garam’s voice was cold, completely different from how she spoke to Wooyeon. Though he didn’t know what the situation was, it was clear that Garam wasn’t in a good mood. Wooyeon leaned against the wall and focused on their conversation.“You buy him food, get him drinks, help him with his studies… fine, sure, that’s something a Sunbae might do.”Garam’s irritated tone sounded almost like she was talking to herself, as if trying to brainwash herself, muttering, “It’s okay, you’re a Sunbae, it’s fine.” But the next question was definitely directed at Dohyeon.“But what about this? You said you’d take him to see a movie if he did well on his exam?”Wooyeon flinched, his shoulders trembling involuntarily. He hadn’t asked Dohyeon, but he had casually mentioned this to Garam. There was no reason to keep it a secret, and yet, he felt a strange sense of guilt.“You’re so obvious, man. Taking him to see a horror movie, of all things.”Wooyeon had chosen the horror movie himself, but now Dohyeon was being misunderstood. While Wooyeon debated whether or not to open the door, Dohyeon replied nonchalantly.“Wooyeon said he’s seen the entire series.”His tone was calm and without any hint of surprise or displeasure. In contrast to Garam, Dohyeon wasn’t bothered at all. Garam, caught off guard, responded with, “Huh, really?” and cleared her throat, as if trying to change the subject.“Anyway, why do you act so differently with Wooyeon? You’re usually so good at setting boundaries.”Wooyeon leaned his head against the wall and stared blankly into space.“So good at setting boundaries,” huh? Four years ago, Wooyeon had been pushed beyond those boundaries, so hearing that stung deeply. No one knew better than Wooyeon how skilled Dohyeon was at drawing lines and cutting ties.“What are you doing that’s so out of character?”“Do you want me to say, ‘What’s so out of character for me?’”“Are you crazy?”Wooyeon sat down, hugging his knees. He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but now that he’d heard this much, he couldn’t just leave. But he also didn’t have the courage to step in and pretend like nothing was wrong.After a few more curses, Garam spoke seriously, lowering her voice.“When Wooyeon cried, why did you hug him? Do you know how much that could make him hope for something?”Wooyeon’s ears perked up, half curious and half anxious, even though he knew he shouldn’t be listening. Dohyeon hugging him had been nothing more than a gesture of comfort, but apparently, others saw it as something more.“I know you don’t stop people from coming or hold on to them when they leave, but you’ve always been good at separating personal and professional.”The implication was that Dohyeon had dated many people. Wooyeon couldn’t help but believe it more since Dohyeon didn’t offer any kind of rebuttal.“You’re usually so perceptive… You know Wooyeon likes you, so why are you acting like this?”“…“Wooyeon’s head throbbed. He hadn’t expected it to be invisible, but hearing it from someone else’s mouth made it all the more painful. Even a third party could see it clearly. That realization embarrassed him.“If you’re not serious, just stop. I want Wooyeon around for a long time.”Garam’s words, meant for Dohyeon, stabbed Wooyeon straight in the heart. No matter what the intention or purpose behind those words, they still managed to dig deep. Dohyeon’s response was no different.“He says my smiles seem fake.”Dohyeon spoke slowly, almost tantalizingly. It was something Wooyeon had once bitterly said in a fit of frustration. Before Garam could respond, Dohyeon let out a small laugh.“I’m waiting to see how long he keeps thinking that way.”The moment Wooyeon heard those words, he stood up. His mind was foggy, and he felt a strange sense of unease. No more words came from inside the room, but a low hum echoed in his ears, as though it were stuck there.“Hey, you…”As Garam spoke, Wooyeon’s legs began to move. His pace quickened as if he hadn’t been standing still moments ago. Before he realized it, Wooyeon was rushing out of the building.* * *Wooyeon wandered aimlessly around campus with a head as empty as a drum. Something about Dohyeon’s last words had filled him with a sense of foreboding. He had felt that if he listened any longer, he wouldn’t be able to keep standing on his own two feet.“I like you, teacher.”When Wooyeon had confessed as a child, it was less an act of bravery and more an act of surrender. The feelings that had grown too big to contain had finally spilled over.Naturally, there was no miracle, and Wooyeon was left heartbroken in a way he couldn’t even begin to express.But that early heartbreak—what was it even for? Afterward, it seemed like nothing could hurt him. Junseong could insult him all he wanted, his mother’s indifference became something he got used to, and when he moved to the U.S. alone, he didn’t feel anything.It wasn’t that the soil had hardened after the rain, or that he had become stronger after overcoming hardships—nothing as cliché as that. The scars inside him were just so deep that smaller cuts didn’t register as pain anymore.But no matter how numb you become to pain, it still hurts when someone pokes at a wound.“Wooyeon! Over here!”When Wooyeon arrived late to the classroom, he spotted Seonkyu sitting somewhere in the middle. Seonkyu greeted him cheerfully and moved the bag from the seat beside him. As Wooyeon slowly approached, Seonkyu’s eyes widened in surprise.“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”Wooyeon set his bag down and awkwardly rubbed his cheek. He knew his face looked tense, but he hadn’t realized it was enough for others to notice right away. Once again, he was thankful he didn’t walk into the clubroom earlier.“I just didn’t get much sleep.”“For a second, I thought you might’ve run into Kang Junseong or something.”Without questioning it further, Seonkyu continued fiddling with his phone. Wooyeon, who had taken out his textbooks and pencil case, propped his chin up on his hand. He was grateful he had taken his suppressant shot—despite his emotional turbulence, not a trace of his pheromones escaped.“Hey, Wooyeon, let’s order something to eat at the clubroom after class. Garam Noona said she’d treat us to whatever we want.”It seemed Seonkyu was messaging Garam, judging by his excited tone. Still resting his chin on his hand, Wooyeon responded disinterestedly.“I’m not feeling well today. I think I’ll head straight home after this class.”“Are you feeling that bad?”Seonkyu turned his head toward Wooyeon with a hint of concern. Wooyeon met his gaze with just his eyes, and Seonkyu tentatively added:“I heard Dohyeon hyung came to campus for a make-up class today. Are you really just going to leave?”Wooyeon bit his lower lip and averted his eyes. He had just overheard that Dohyeon was at the clubroom earlier. The fact that he was planning to leave right away was directly tied to that. Wooyeon wasn’t sure why Seonkyu brought it up, though.“…What does it matter to me if Sunbae’s here?”“Oh.”Realizing his mistake, Seonkyu furrowed his brow and grimaced. He flipped his phone face-down on the desk and twitched his lips. Looking around as if to make sure no one was listening, he lowered his voice.“You like Dohyeon hyung, don’t you?”“…”Ugh, why is today so unlucky? Wooyeon had to hear the truth he could barely admit to himself twice in one day, and from someone else’s mouth at that. And to make it worse, his physical condition was poor.“I didn’t think you were trying to hide it. Sorry if that bothered you.”Seonkyu quickly acknowledged his mistake and apologized. He added that he hadn’t told anyone and would pretend he didn’t know moving forward. Wooyeon forced a calm expression and responded evenly.“It’s fine. It was probably obvious to everyone.”It was probably obvious to anyone who cared to look. Especially to someone as perceptive as Dohyeon. He knew it all yet still acted kindly, helping with studies, hugging him, showing him movies. If it was all just to “see how long Wooyeon would keep thinking it was fake,” then it was overly considerate.“Let’s go to the clubroom together. I’ll just drop by for a bit before heading home.”“Alright? I’ll let Noona know.”Seonkyu quickly replied to Garam’s message. When Garam asked if they had any specific cravings, Wooyeon told Seonkyu to get whatever he wanted. There was a high chance they’d end up with tteokbokki.“Ugh, I really don’t feel like sitting through this lecture.”The professor arrived five minutes later, skipping attendance and diving straight into the lesson. Wooyeon mechanically took notes, trying to push aside all the thoughts cluttering his mind: the words he overheard at the clubroom door and memories of Dohyeon from back when he was his tutor.In Wooyeon’s memory, Dohyeon had always been the kindest teacher. He never scolded him for missing homework or making mistakes, and if Wooyeon wasn’t focused during the lesson, Dohyeon would gently explain everything again.For a while, Wooyeon liked to think that kindness was reserved only for him. It was his first time tutoring, Wooyeon was younger, he was being bullied at school—surely, Dohyeon was sympathetic in a way he wouldn’t be toward anyone else.But even as a senior, Dohyeon was kind to him. He bought him food, helped him with studying, and drank the alcohol Wooyeon didn’t want to. Wooyeon started unconsciously believing Dohyeon would always do what he asked.“He did everything I asked him to.”From helping with class registration to patting his head, hugging him—he even granted requests for more intimate things. Was this what people meant when they said Dohyeon let people come and go without attachment?It wasn’t that Wooyeon felt played; it was more that he realized there was no special connection. Dohyeon would’ve acted the same toward anyone. There was no bigger mistake than mistaking such universally given kindness for a personal privilege.Wooyeon kept replaying this thought until the end of the lecture. At some point, his hand stopped moving, though he didn’t even notice.By the time he packed up, slung his bag over his shoulder, and stood in front of the clubroom door, his thoughts had circled back to one conclusion.“We’re here!”I have to give up, he thought. No, I have to stop. If I keep running forward, I’ll eventually trip over this love and lose my footing entirely. No matter how much I struggle, I’ll just end up in a powerless position, waiting for the inevitable end.“If that’s the case…”“We ordered tteokbokki. Come sit down.”While Wooyeon was still gathering his thoughts, Garam stood up abruptly, grabbed her cigarettes, and went outside. Seonkyu nudged Wooyeon into the room before following after her. The sound of the door clicking shut made Wooyeon realize Seonkyu had given him space on purpose.And that Dohyeon’s gaze was now fixed on him.“Are you feeling unwell?”Dohyeon asked kindly, just like always. His jet-black eyes reflected a warmth Wooyeon knew too well. Knowing that he was worried about him made Wooyeon’s lips twitch involuntarily.“I’m not feeling well.”Dohyeon’s pheromones drew closer immediately. Like autumn air, they were dry and softly lingered nearby. With Wooyeon’s pheromones suppressed, the alpha’s scent stood out clearly.“Look at me.”Dohyeon bent down slightly to meet his eyes. He reached out as if to touch him but stopped midway, probably intending to check if Wooyeon had a fever. Wooyeon gently grabbed his hand and placed it on his forehead. Dohyeon flinched, his fingertips trembling lightly.“You don’t have a fever…”He muttered, gently stroking Wooyeon’s lukewarm forehead. Since Dohyeon had just come in from outside, his hands felt warmer than Wooyeon’s skin. Wooyeon closed his eyes tightly and pressed his face into Dohyeon’s hand.“Could you take me home?”He didn’t need to beg for this small favor. With how kind Dohyeon was, he would never turn away from a sick junior. And just as Wooyeon expected, Dohyeon gently held his hand.“Let’s go.”They left immediately, not even waiting for the tteokbokki. Dohyeon sent a message to Garam, but Wooyeon didn’t see it because he kept his head down.Dohyeon opened the passenger door for him and even buckled his seatbelt this time.