He’s a Fox Ch 81

Chapter 81

His damp hair gleamed, every strand weighed with moisture, while the loosely belted robe gaped wide across his chest. Gravity teased droplets down his torso, rolling lower and lower. Without meaning to, Hohyun’s eyes chased one bead, following its descent until he snapped his gaze sharply upward again.

Think pure thoughts. Pure thoughts…

He fixed his stare on an empty corner of the ceiling, determined to wash his mind clean. Across from him, the tiger—remembering the way his lover’s gaze had been fixed earlier on his cousin—allowed a faint scowl to settle over his face.

When Hohyun finally noticed the sulk a beat too late, a question mark floated over his head. Had something gone wrong in the study? Was there an issue he didn’t know about? Carefully, he asked:

“Did… something happen?”

“Not really. Just…”

Not nothing, but not much. The answer only stirred more concern. Seeing his lover’s face tighten with seriousness, Kangwoon muttered at last, almost pouting:

“It bothers me that my lover seems to reveal his feelings on his face… with such brightness.”

“…!”

The words struck at once. Too many times, too obvious. Just minutes ago, he had been staring like a fool himself. And not only tonight—over and over lately, he had been gazing at the tiger in a daze. He couldn’t deny it. Thinking the grievance was about his cousin never even crossed his mind; flustered, he only glanced away silently.

The lack of denial lifted Kangwoon’s brow in sharp emphasis.

“…Is that your type of face?”

“…Type of face? What do you mean?”

The tone suggested it wasn’t his own he was referring to. Hohyun blinked in confusion until Kangwoon clarified flatly:

“Amur. I mean him.”

“What?!”

The name fell like a stone, and Hohyun nearly yelped. How did this turn into that? The idea of fancying that smug Westerner—with his lover right in front of him—was absurd. He hurried to defend himself:

“He is handsome, but you are exactly my type!”

“…Truly?”

“Of course!”

If Kangwoon was ink‑wash painted in subtle monochrome, Amur was oil painting, loud with color. There might be some who preferred the latter—but Hohyun was not one of them. His denial burst out with almost comic urgency. At last, Kangwoon’s expression relaxed, loosening under sheer sincerity.

Counting moments dazed before the tiger’s face, knowing full well he had not been admiring Amur, the fox tilted his chin high with defiance. Seeing his lover beam so confidently, Kangwoon leaned in and pressed his face into Hohyun’s palm.

Anyone watching who knew the tiger’s usual demeanor might have fainted in disbelief. For here was Beom Kangwoon, nuzzling openly like a cat seeking affection.

Warmth loosened every muscle on Hohyun’s face into a dopey smile. He stroked along cheekbones carefully, like smoothing fragile foam that might burst at a touch. Kangwoon rubbed softly into the hand, though deep down he puzzled again: why did his young fox sometimes treat him as though he were a mewling kitten?

He who had grown up towering above his peers, who had never once received this sort of petting even in childhood—only now, at thirty‑some years of age, was being openly cooed over. Even Yuri, a literal cub, wasn’t pampered in this manner. And yet… having adapted, he found himself using it well.

A deep rumble built in his chest, vibrating against the fox’s arm. Hohyun struggled to hold him, arms trembling under the weight—yet never said stop. Kangwoon luxuriated there until he’d had his fill, pulling away only when soft grunts escaped.

Once one tiger’s sulk had melted away, he sat up straight, expression clear again. He tugged Hohyun close, practically pushing him back into the mattress. And there, his gaze caught on the catalog lying open at the bedside.

“That what you were looking at earlier?”

“Ah—no! Not for me. I was just thinking about what would suit you.”

“My clothes?” His tone edged curious. “Which ones?”

Ready to indulge him if need be, Kangwoon looked down, but the fox hurriedly flipped through pages, eyes alight. This one! That would look so good! He explained each suggestion with fervor, sparkling eyes brighter than most retail clerks. Had Kim Hyunseok seen it, he might have offered employment at once.

Quietly, Kangwoon tallied which items drew the strongest reaction. If he was already making a human effort by holding form, he might as well lean into his fox’s taste in dressing it.

Then—a new page. Clothing not yet shown.

“So,” Hohyun asked playfully this time, “which do you think look best?”

Kangwoon only skimmed with glance before lifting a finger to a soft knit sweater in the top corner. But his eyes, however, lingered not on the page—but on the fox himself.

“I have one exactly like this, sitting in my closet.”

He bent closer to whisper:

“Want to try wearing it?”

“….”

It wasn’t the purchase of new clothes—it was the act of him wearing Kangwoon’s own. The implication laden, voice thick.

Hohyun gulped and nodded stiffly. Too late to withdraw now, he even hooked pinkies, making a promise: next time, he would.

They turned back to the book. Pages had shifted from clothing into jewelry. Stones shone dazzling even through photographs, price unlisted, unattainable treasures.

He wondered instantly what those gems might cost. But still—he pictured Kangwoon wearing them. Shockingly, it fit. His lukewarm attention caught fire, eyes scanning hungrily.

The tiger mistook his enthusiasm as thought of mother or elder sister—sensible gifts. Never would he imagine the fox dreamt of clasping the metal onto himself.

The pages turned again, then froze. Gilded chain heavy on the next model’s neck. A choker. No gap, no space; flush to the skin.

The fox inhaled sharply. That must be so uncomfortable. He imagined strangling pressure, a prickle at his nape. Instinctively, his own hand rose, nails scratching lightly at the back of his neck as if to ease phantom burn.

Kangwoon’s pupils narrowed.

“Didn’t he keep rubbing his neck earlier? Don’t you think it’s connected?”

His cousin’s words replayed.

Carefully, the tiger’s hand covered Hohyun’s, still scratching. Fingers locked tight in a braided grip around his lover’s. The fox jolted, realizing belatedly he’d been tearing at his own throat again.

Embarrassed, he looked up in surprise. The tiger spoke first.