PIA 147

Ji-an’s nose tingled and he winced at Jeong Hee-seo’s words about the importance of living in the present. He was right. It was the same thing Ji-an had told ‘Seo Ji-an’. Who could dare determine the value of this world versus that one? He felt it was disrespectful to worry and feel sorry arbitrarily.

As Ji-an was continuing his thoughts while holding Jeong Hee-seo’s hand tightly, he let out a short exclamation. Something had suddenly occurred to him.

“Come to think of it, I saw that guy in a dream not too long ago.”

“…What?”

The assumption that the connection between the two worlds wasn’t completely severed was taboo in front of Jeong Hee-seo. Seeing his confusion and anxiety, Ji-an hurriedly continued his explanation.

“It wasn’t like he had a direct message for me or anything. It seemed more like a message saying he’s living well there and not to worry.”

“I’m not worried.”

Ji-an burst out laughing at the firm response.

“In the dream, I was looking in a mirror and ‘Seo Ji-an’ was there. He had a box in his arms with a jewel inside. It was a really big, shining vermilion jewel, so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. I thought that guy finally had something radiant. The box was also very neat and pretty. Somehow, I felt like his twisted life had been completely fixed… I felt great even after waking up.”

“…!”

Jeong Hee-seo, distracted by the dream story, only realized the signal had changed when they were right at the stop line. He braked somewhat abruptly. He stretched his arm across Ji-an’s chest as he lurched forward. Just as Ji-an was about to ask why his expression was so strange after the initial surprise passed,

“Ji-an.”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t that a conception dream?”

Jeong Hee-seo spoke in an uncharacteristically excited voice. Come to think of it, it did sound like one. Recalling the turtle dream he had as a conception dream for Hae-yi, and the information about conception dreams he had looked up at the time. Yes, Jeong Hee-seo had a point.

“I… guess so? It does seem like a conception dream?”

At Ji-an’s nonchalant response, Jeong Hee-seo’s eyes shook violently. Seeing his face turn pale, Ji-an wondered if something serious had happened, but he couldn’t grasp what it was.

†

Hahaha— Kim Han-seok’s laughter echoed across the hospital courtyard. He was laughing so hard he held his stomach. Jeong Hee-seo stood beside him, rubbing his furrowed brow. After laughing for a while, Kim Han-seok wiped his tears and asked.

“So, you rushed to the hospital like this? Even abandoning work on a Monday morning?”

“It’s not as trivial as you think.”

“What’s the big deal if you’re having a second child?”

What do you mean, what’s the big deal? Jeong Hee-seo looked incredulous.

“No. Absolutely not. Absolutely.”

Kim Han-seok could easily guess why Jeong Hee-seo was saying it couldn’t happen. He had been by Jeong Hee-seo’s side throughout Ji-an’s coma and knew his anguished heart well.

Even setting aside that incident, they had a short courtship and barely any newlywed period. It was hard not to feel regret for such a lovely, rabbit-like young partner.

“So you’re relieved it’s not true?”

“Yeah. I’m just going to date Ji-an for a while.”

Kim Han-seok rubbed his arms, wondering why he felt chills and goosebumps on such a warm day.

“I’m cold, really cold. I’m so envious, what should I do? I’m jealous.”

Seeing Ji-an approaching from afar, waving his hand, made him groan even more. Kim Han-seok waved back to greet Ji-an.

Ji-an was carrying Hae-yi in his arms. With his round back, he looked like he had a white steamed bun on his shoulder. On top of the bun was a small face with black hair fluttering. His eyes were sparkling so brightly, he looked just like a doll.

Unable to wait for that short walk across the courtyard, Jeong Hee-seo strode over to stand beside Ji-an. Seeing them approaching together, whispering unnecessarily, made Kim Han-seok’s eyes twitch.

They had only been apart while Hae-yi was briefly having his formula after the obstetrics and gynecology appointment, but they were making a fuss as if reuniting after years. Kim Han-seok had been finding Jeong Hee-seo’s behavior unbearable to watch. Why did he even come to him first if he was going to act like this?

“Hello. Hae-yi, let’s say hi.”

“Ji-an-ssi, we meet again so soon. Hae-yi is so cute today too.”

Kim Han-seok acted friendly with Hae-yi, having apparently dropped by for the 100-day celebration over the weekend. He greeted them, saying he was worried that Hae-yi might have fallen ill after the party when he heard they came to the hospital as soon as Monday dawned.

“Wow, how did such a kid come out? He’s the spitting image of Ji-an-ssi, but with a spoonful of Hee-seo added. How does this little one get such an aura?”

Kim Han-seok rummaged through his pocket, took out his phone, approached Hae-yi, and took a selfie with him. Apparently, at the 100-day party, there were too many guests and the two grandmothers had formed an impenetrable defense, so he couldn’t get close easily.

“Stop taking pictures.”

Seeing Ji-an also being captured in the frame, Jeong Hee-seo’s hand abruptly intervened in front of the screen.

“Delete all the photos. What are you doing with other people’s child?”

“Child?”

Kim Han-seok shouted incredulously while avoiding the hand trying to snatch his phone. He exclaimed that it was severe, gasping in disbelief. He felt betrayed by his friend who was already showing many unfamiliar sides.

Among their classmates, the two of them were famous for only working. He thought they would remain single together for a long time, but seeing Jeong Hee-seo getting married so quickly and even having a baby made his side ache more these days.

Watching the two bicker, Ji-an burst into a broad smile. When Jeong Hee-seo was being sensitive about whether he might be pregnant again, Ji-an had felt an inexplicable disappointment, but amidst the noisy chatter, that strange feeling disappeared as if it had never been there.

That night.

Jeong Hee-seo threw the freshly washed and dried Ji-an onto the bed and cleaned up the traces of their messy lovemaking as usual. He picked up all the tied-off condoms and gathered the scattered condom wrappers from here and there.

He collected all the related trash together, crumpled it so the contents couldn’t be seen, and threw it away. Ever since Ji-an had once seen the housekeeper cleaning it up and was horrified, Jeong Hee-seo had started taking care of it himself.

Ji-an, who had dozed off briefly, came to his senses and rolled halfway over, resting his cheek on the back of his hand as he lay face down. He always felt a bit dazed like this after being washed in hot water. His reddened legs were sprawled out on the bed.

“…Isn’t it annoying, hyung? Cleaning that up.”

Before Jeong Hee-seo could answer, he added one more thing.

“We could just do it without, why don’t we just…”

Jeong Hee-seo, who hadn’t responded to the question about it being annoying, answered the suggestion to do it without protection with his palm. As soon as he finished tidying up, he strode to the bed, lifted Ji-an’s robe, and smacked his bottom.

“Ah!”

Ji-an was startled and tried to turn his body, but Jeong Hee-seo paid no attention and delivered a second, then a third slap in quick succession. The bottom under his palm felt like it was on fire.

“It hurts!”

“You should be punished for saying ridiculous things.”

“Ouch! Hyung!”

He couldn’t help but cry out. Jeong Hee-seo’s hands were already incredibly large. Even if done playfully it would hurt, but being hit as punishment really hurt. Ji-an’s eyes welled up with tears and he suddenly felt angry. He didn’t care what he had said, and in his agitation, he pushed Jeong Hee-seo over and climbed on top of him.

“What’s the big deal? And they say it feels better without anyway.”

“Who says that?”

His earlier bravado disappeared, and when Jeong Hee-seo gave him a sharp look, Ji-an’s spirit deflated and he mumbled,

“Just, you know, people around…”

“Don’t associate with people who say such things.”

“But really, what’s the big deal? I wouldn’t mind if Hae-yi got a sibling. It’s not that difficult, and Hae-yi is so cute…”

Jeong Hee-seo frowned deeply.

“No. How do you know the second one won’t be difficult? And I want to date you.”

“We’ve already gone too far for that, hyung. Dating… doesn’t that feel a bit forced?”

“I want to cherish you, Ji-an.”

Ji-an was momentarily speechless. His heart melted at the eyes looking up at him, whispering about wanting to cherish him over and over. The inexplicable disappointment he felt earlier completely dissolved.

As Ji-an’s expression softened noticeably and he could only mumble without replying, Jeong Hee-seo’s eyes also quickly turned gentle. He firmly grasped Ji-an’s slightly reddened bottom and gently massaged it.

Ji-an looked down at his broad chest before flopping down on it. He pressed his ear against his chest and slipped his hands around to his back, clinging tightly. Like a koala, he clung and pressed down with his body weight, but the man didn’t seem to mind as he let out a soft laugh.

Stroking Ji-an’s back as he would when putting Hae-yi to sleep, Jeong Hee-seo whispered,

“Lying like this is quite nice too.”

“I heard somewhere that using a heavy blanket helps with insomnia.”

“Isn’t this a bit heavier than a blanket?”

Even as he objected, Jeong Hee-seo pulled the blanket over to cover Ji-an’s back. Covering both of them together created a small mound on the bed.

Thump-thump-thump, their heartbeats met. Their breathing felt closer than ever before.

“Did you know you’re really warm, hyung? Are Alphas generally higher in body temperature?”

“…Don’t be curious about other Alphas’ body temperatures.”

“I can’t even say anything.”

Jeong Hee-seo smiled contentedly as he hugged Ji-an, who was wriggling satisfactorily against his warm body.

Although Ji-an moved his ear away when Jeong Hee-seo’s chest vibrated gently with laughter, he soon nuzzled back to find a comfortable position. Even though their touching stomachs and lower bodies were distracting, it wasn’t uncomfortable. Sometimes, he thought, it was nice to be purely close like this.

“…”

Less than ten minutes had passed when Ji-an’s breathing slowed. Looking down, Jeong Hee-seo found him fast asleep. It was so like Ji-an to fall asleep first after saying he would help with insomnia.

What should he do with this, really?

Jeong Hee-seo gently reached out to dim the bedroom lights, patted Ji-an’s back, and closed his eyes. It seemed Ji-an was right about heavy blankets helping with insomnia. For the first time in a long while, he was able to fall into a quick, deep sleep.

Their present, the everyday night of just the two of them, deepened like that.