NLFSD Chapter 62

Chapter 62

“Wow.”

“Even if you’re hungry, drink some water first.”

“Yes… I was thirsty anyway.”

Jiwoon poked only his upper body out from the blankets, keeping his lower half determinedly covered, and grabbed the glass of ice water. As he gulped it down, he could feel Seo Taecheon’s gaze scorching into him.

“Mm… uh…”

“Yes, do you need something?”

“No, I just… was wondering why you keep staring at me like that.”

“Because I want to. I can’t get enough of looking at you.”

“…What?”

“It doesn’t matter how much I look — I never get tired.”

The shameless line made Jiwoon’s face burn red.

“That’s… a little much, you know.”

He answered nervously, glancing at him. Taecheon only chuckled and kissed his cheek.

“Don’t mind it. Eat.”

Don’t mind it? How am I supposed to, when he’s staring at me like that!

But having nothing to counter with, Jiwoon reached for a slice of mango. It had been cut into a beautiful cross‑hatch pattern, just like in Southeast Asian resort hotels.

“Wow. Isn’t this the kind of thing they do in fancy hotels abroad?”

“Yes. Luckily, I know how.”

“Wait… did you do this yourself?”

“Well, with only you and me in this house, who else would’ve done it?”

Taecheon handed him a tiny spoon. Scraping it against the ripe flesh, Jiwoon scooped out neat morsels.

“This is delicious!”

“Good. I figured my effort in ordering the hotel F&B team to procure them was worth it.”

“…Right, since department stores are closed at night…”

“But our hotels keep fresh fruit around the clock.”

Jiwoon suddenly found him dazzling. What use was wealth if stores closed at night? Yet this Alpha had entire hotels pulling produce for him at any hour. Somehow, that was captivating.

“And the soup? Did the hotel F&B make that too?”

“Now that’s an unfair assumption. Our fridge was stocked. I made it.”

“Really?”

One sip proved it — the potato base and fresh cream blended into superb flavor.

“This is amazing.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

He reached out to stroke Jiwoon’s cheek. The touch was warm, but Jiwoon’s eyes were different now. Instead of blushing shyly, he fixated on the hard calluses in his palms, the veins on the back of his hand… the same strength that had pinned him with terrifying force just the night before.

His gaze lifted higher, to the corded neck and broad shoulders, and unbidden the memory flashed — clinging desperately as that body consumed him during his heat.

God, Jiwoon. What karma did you earn to spend your first true heat cycle with such an Alpha?

“By the way.”

“Yes?”

Startled, Jiwoon replied quickly, worried his stray thoughts had been detected.

“You… don’t feel pain anywhere, do you?”

“Ah…”

Actually, yes — a strange soreness between my thighs, trembling thigh muscles, hips stabbed like by a nail, aching ankles too.

But he couldn’t say that aloud. Dignity still mattered. He laughed it off.

“I’m fine. Perfectly fine.”

“Even so, take a day off.”

The clock showed 7 a.m. In theory, he could still make it to work on time.

“No need, I can go in. The body aches are gone… guess they were pre‑heat symptoms.”

“That’s not it — your scent is still leaking.”

“…What?”

“There are several Alphas in the office. If you go near them, they’ll pick up on it. Whenever you’re aroused, sage gives way to sharp orange — it’s… very stimulating.”

“…S‑stimulating?”

Unflinching, Taecheon stated it bluntly. Jiwoon flushed, clearing his throat awkwardly.

“…Right. Got it.”

“So stay home.”

Jiwoon furtively lifted his wrist to his nose. Indeed, the worst had passed, yet a faint pheromone trace lingered. Combined with Taecheon’s still‑present Alpha scent, walking outside would be like wearing a billboard: I spent last night with my Alpha.

“…You’re right. I’ll stay. But Taecheon, I want to shower now.”

“I’ll bathe you.”

“…What?! Absolutely not!”

Jiwoon nearly fell out of bed.

“You have to get to work! Go, hurry.”

“I already told them.”

“…Told them what?”

“That I’m on leave today.”

Spoken as if obvious.

“…Why?”

Jiwoon knew Seo Taecheon almost never used leave. The only time had been to attend the Reflection Center.

“Why? To look after you. I’ll feed you, wash you, take care of everything today.”

“…Because of me?”

“Yes. All of it.”

“I’m grateful but — I’ll bathe myself!”

“Strange logic. After all we did last night? I’ve seen, touched—”

“Ah! Stop!”

Jiwoon screamed, covering his ears and flopping back into bed. Taecheon just laughed.

After declaring he’d cook breakfast, Taecheon left. Jiwoon quickly texted his team leader. Though medical leave could be excused with a later doctor’s note (for heat/rut cycles), Jiwoon didn’t want that label following him. Everyone would know then he had a partner who “helped him through it.” And while unmarried Omegas having partners wasn’t scandalous, workplace gossip wasn’t welcome.

Better to simply call it a bad cold.

Jiwoon: Sir, thought you’d be in your car, so I text. I feel very unwell and would like to use leave today. Is that alright? I can explain in detail later by phone.

Song TL: No need for a call. Rest and return when recovered.

Jiwoon: Really? Thank you so much.

Song TL: You’re not too seriously ill, right? Please see a doctor.

Jiwoon: I will. See you tomorrow.

Relieved, Jiwoon headed for the bathroom. Catching sight of the mirror, he froze.

“What… the—!”

His entire body was blotched with marks — hickeys, bites, purple bruises, like modern abstract art.

He… even left marks in places I didn’t know could be marked?!

Staring stunned, he gingerly touched each one.

So this is where Taecheon’s mouth and hands were…

His heartbeat raced anew.

Get a grip. Shower first.

Under the lukewarm spray, his mind cleared somewhat.

Still, one question burned: Why now? Why did my first real heat explode suddenly, when I’ve always been “low‑expression,” irregular, taking suppressants faithfully?

It was sheer luck he’d been home, sheer grace Taecheon had arrived in time. Otherwise… he shuddered.

He remembered what he’d learned: a full heat can only be calmed by absorbing Alpha pheromones and fluids through mucous membranes. Emergency suppressants or injections only prevent it if administered before it peaks. Once it hits, reason is lost and Alphas are craved.

Maybe the skinship during camping last week destabilized my system? No… that alone shouldn’t trigger this. Then why? I can’t guess.

I need to see a doctor. I can’t risk unpredictable attacks again. Taecheon won’t always be here to stop me.

Then an icy thought struck.

Wait… could I… be pregnant?

His chest seized. They’d had nothing ready last night: no contraception, no barriers. As housemates planning divorce, of course they owned nothing like that. And he, delirious in heat, had begged shamelessly for everything raw.

No, calm down. I’m a “sub‑expressive” Omega. And Taecheon wasn’t in rut. Pregnancy requires alignment — both partners in cycle. My solo heat shouldn’t be enough. Right?

From what he’d heard, conception odds were highest when both Alpha rut and Omega heat overlapped. If only one side flared, chances plummeted. And for sub‑expressive Omegas, fertility was markedly low.

Even if we did it repeatedly last night… nothing should happen. Shouldn’t.

Desperately, Jiwoon forced the thought aside, refusing to face the possibility.