Divorce Contract C152

Chapter 152

 

His eyes, cheeks, and lips—every place his gaze landed flushed red. Seo Dohyeon steadied his breath and pressed his mouth to Go Igyeol’s nape, sucking gently before soothing the round red mark with his tongue. He wanted to understand—where touch hurt him, where touch pleased him. He did not wish to ever again touch him in a way he hated.

“Is this alright?”

He caught the straight line of Igyeol’s collarbone between his lips and licked; Igyeol gave a small nod. When he bit down gently, careful not to hurt him, Igyeol’s body jerked. Pale hands hovered uncertainly, unsure where to hold, and only after fumbling did they clutch at his arm.

His neck, shoulders, and collarbones bloomed with tight, flushed marks. Seo Dohyeon slowly undid the buttons of the pajama top. As each patch of hidden skin was revealed, Igyeol trembled. Was that dislike? Seo Dohyeon stilled and lifted his head—only to find a flushed face, wide and tense. He looked aroused, yet frightened. When Seo Dohyeon swallowed his trembling lips, the tense shoulders loosened beneath his hands. Clumsily, Igyeol pushed his tongue against the one seeking inside him. When the last button fell open and Dohyeon’s hand brushed bare skin, Igyeol flinched and curled in again.

The body that had just relaxed hardened anew. The loose pajama top slipped down, baring his shoulders. Seo Dohyeon followed the curve, kissing down, closer and lower—until Igyeol bit back a whimper. He teased a nipple swollen from pregnancy and childbirth with his tongue, then closed his lips around it. Igyeol’s shaky hands clamped weakly onto his shoulders.

The tremor that began at his hand raced through his body. Seo Dohyeon released the nipple he’d been sucking, pressing a soft kiss there instead. Then he drew the loosened fabric closed and pulled Igyeol firmly into his arms.

“I-I’m o—”

“I know. It’s alright.”

He held the trembling body tight, stroking soothingly as he released more pheromones. Fingers combed through soft hair; his lips pressed gently to the border where bangs met forehead.

“If you’re alright, shall we go out for a bit?”

“…Where…”

“I was only thinking we could go somewhere together. Is there a place you want to go?”

“I want to get some air. Anywhere… is fine.”

At the small voice vibrating against his chest, Seo Dohyeon nodded.

“Let’s stay like this just a little longer, then go.”

“…Okay.”

After their late-night date when his heat had passed, Go Igyeol believed something had gone wrong between them physically. Kisses he thought would deepen remained light. Instead of embracing him, Seo Dohyeon only briefly held his hand before letting go again and again. The pattern stirred unease. Why? Had his feelings changed? He said such a thing would not happen.

“I’m home.”

Their greeting kiss brushed lightly and fell away again. It seemed Igyeol alone felt disappointed. Watching the gentle smile as Seo Dohyeon headed upstairs, he followed. As if expecting him, Seo Dohyeon didn’t close the door. Standing slightly aside, he waited. Familiar now, Igyeol sat at the edge of the bed.

“Did you eat dinner?”

“No, I was planning to eat with you. Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

“Good.”

Pulling off his jacket and loosening his tie, Seo Dohyeon approached under the weight of that steady gaze. When he reached out, Igyeol leaned into his palm like instinct.

“Did something happen?”

“…No. Nothing… happened. And you?”

“Nothing for me either. Do you have something you want to say?”

“A… no…?”

He faltered and looked away. Seo Dohyeon knelt, matching his eyes. Saying he had nothing to say, yet acting like a man with much to say—what was it? Gently, he drew Igyeol’s unfocused gaze back to him.

“Igyeol.”

“…You, um… came home late.”

“Did I? I thought I left work at my usual time.”

The hands on his thighs fidgeted restlessly. When Seo Dohyeon covered them softly, Igyeol finally looked at him.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“……”

“Did I make you feel upset?”

“That’s not…”

He couldn’t deny it. Lips trembled, then shut tight, and Seo Dohyeon’s heart dropped. He rapidly searched his memories. What had he done? Had he already hurt him again without realizing? He held Igyeol’s hands tighter, bowed his head, pressing his forehead to the back of his hand. He could not recall doing anything wrong—but that was only his perception. For Igyeol, it could be different. Panic coiled.

He had meant to change. To do better. Had nothing changed at all?

“I’m sorry. Can you… tell me this once?”

“…What?”

“I’ll fix it. If you tell me, I’ll fix it. Please just tell me what I did to upset you.”

Hearing the heavy ache in his voice, Igyeol thought—this isn’t it. Yes, he was upset, but it wasn’t Seo Dohyeon’s fault. Nor something to “fix.” Unsure how to explain, he pressed his fingertip into his palm, flustered. Seo Dohyeon paled further.

“You’re right. I must’ve come home later than usual. I’ll come home earlier tomorrow.”

“…No, that’s not it…”

Not that? Seo Dohyeon’s mind reeled. Then what was it? What had he done? The confusion on his face startled Igyeol, but Dohyeon was lost in self-reproach, not noticing his panic.

“I’m sorry. I said I wouldn’t do this again, but I’ve hurt you again. I asked for another chance, yet here I am disappointing you. So please—tell me. I will correct it.”

“No, no…”

“Please. Don’t say it’s nothing.”

“It’s not— I didn’t mean that. I just…”

“……”

“Why…”

“…Why?”

When Igyeol hesitated, Seo Dohyeon looked ready to dissolve in desperation. He squeezed their interlaced hands and gazed at him pleadingly. Igyeol exhaled hard, then flushed to the ears.

“…It’s because of that time. Because of that night.”

“I don’t know what you mean when you say ‘that.’ Can you explain more? I wish I could understand without asking, but I can’t yet. If you tell me this time, I’ll learn. So please… just tell me once.”

His humility, his anxious waiting—made Igyeol burn with embarrassment. Shame stung him; what if Seo Dohyeon felt disappointed once he heard the truth? His lips trembled as he gnawed them, and Dohyeon could only plead quietly:

“…Please.”

“T-that night. When you… stopped. I…”

“…That night?”

“Here. Here, that time…”

His face reddened deeper. Seo Dohyeon realized which night. The night after the heat when emotions and words had spilled raw.

“The night the heat passed, and we talked. That day?”

Seeing Igyeol’s humiliation, he avoided any explicit phrase. Igyeol nodded hard. And at last, the truth clicked.

“I wanted to continue, but… I thought it was still too soon. So I stopped.”

“……”

“So that’s why you were sad. Is that right?”

Igyeol’s tiny nod confirmed it. Seo Dohyeon finally exhaled, posture collapsing in relief. He leaned forward over Igyeol’s thighs, resting his forehead on the back of his hand again.

“Seo Dohyeon…?”

“Give me a minute. My heart—it’s beating so fast it hurts.”

He lifted himself and guided Igyeol’s hand to his chest. He pressed the small palm to his rapidly drumming heart, letting him feel it. What might have seemed like teasing turned serious as the frantic pace thudded under his touch. Igyeol’s expression turned grave too.

“I can’t calm down.”

“…T-then what do we do?”

Now it was Igyeol who had gone pale.