106

‘Why… Why is he like that…? And what’s with that sappy look in his eyes…?!’

Was it because of what happened yesterday? Yu-young had no idea why Do-won’s eyes were practically dripping with honey. He had been unusually gentle lately, but today, his gaze was even softer than the day before.

Even so, Yu-young didn’t dislike the way Do-won kept looking at him throughout breakfast. The time they spent together in the morning was enough to make his heart race—enough to make him happy.

Maybe that’s why.

The upsetting feelings from meeting Mrs. Lee and Sun-hyung yesterday had already faded away.

Was it because he wasn’t the type to dwell on things? Or was it because what happened with Do-won last night had been so overwhelming that it erased those memories? Or maybe it was just that being with Do-won right now was too sweet to let anything else matter.

Either way, whatever happened yesterday no longer affected him.

Yu-young briefly wondered if he should tell Do-won about it but decided to hold off for now.

‘…Just until his birthday. It’s soon, anyway.’

Do-won’s birthday was coming up. The camera he bought after enduring all that unpleasantness—now that things had turned out this way, he wanted to make it a real surprise. With that determination, Yu-young focused on finishing his meal.

—

Once they were both ready to leave, Yu-young hesitated near the entrance, glancing at Do-won as he followed behind.

He had almost put on his shoes when he suddenly remembered their daily routine.

“…Team Leader.”

Do-won looked puzzled.

Yu-young fumbled with his words.

“…Aren’t you going to do it?”

“Do what?”

“The thing you always do….”

Do-won’s initial confusion gradually gave way to amusement.

“I was planning to. Come closer.”

“…Okay.”

“You’re being good today, even asking for it yourself.”

“I’m not asking! It’s just… You do it every day, so I thought you would today, too. That’s all.”

Despite his firm excuse, Do-won kept laughing. With hands gentler than usual, he straightened Yu-young’s collar, smoothed his hair, and then rested his palm on his forehead.

That was the usual routine.

But today, Do-won didn’t stop there.

His fingers, resting on Yu-young’s cheeks, trailed down, grazing his earlobes and the nape of his neck, leaving a warm sensation in their wake.

“…Team Leader….”

“Yes, Yu-young.”

Yu-young’s breath hitched.

Do-won had said his name in a completely different way—so naturally, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Just as Yu-young’s eyes widened in shock, Do-won pressed a kiss to his cheek with a soft smack.

And he didn’t stop there.

His lips trailed downward, brushing against Yu-young’s slightly parted lips, then his chin, his ear, and his neck. The touches were so effortless, like a rolling tide, carrying Do-won’s pheromones and gently enveloping Yu-young.

“Uh… Hnngh… Agh, Team Leader….”

“…Haa….”

With a rough sigh, Do-won buried his nose and lips against the crook of Yu-young’s neck, one hand cradling the back of his head and the other encircling his waist.

His lips lingered there, as if dissatisfied that the neatly buttoned collar prevented him from going further.

This atmosphere was dangerous.

It made it all too clear that what happened last night wasn’t just because of the alcohol.

And worse—Yu-young liked this too much.

“T-Team Leader! We have to get to work! Right now!”

Yu-young shoved against Do-won’s broad chest and shouted.

If they stayed like this any longer, they were bound to make a scene right in the entranceway before even leaving for work.

His face as red as a tomato, Yu-young bolted out the door.

“Let’s go together. Always running off and leaving me behind.”

Do-won followed, his expression and voice carrying the same subtle amusement as always.

Yu-young, flustered, frantically pressed the elevator button, unable to look him in the eye.

—

In the underground parking lot, Do-won unlocked his car.

Yu-young was about to fish his own keys out of his pocket when Do-won effortlessly stopped him and opened the passenger door instead.

“Get in.”

“But… Aren’t we commuting together a little too often these days?”

“It’s fine. Get in.”

After a brief hesitation, Yu-young gave up and climbed into Do-won’s car.

They had originally agreed to commute separately to avoid drawing attention, but that promise had long since faded.

They had only gone separately for the first few days after moving in together—after that, they’d been leaving for work together almost every day.

‘Still… I like it, so what can I do?’

Fastening his seatbelt, Yu-young stared out the window, mumbling to himself.

The days were getting shorter.

The early morning commute was now completely shrouded in darkness.

Back in summer, it wouldn’t have been as noticeable, but Yu-young had always disliked heading to work when the world still looked like night.

It made him feel lonely before the day had even begun.

But right now, sitting in Do-won’s car, that loneliness didn’t exist at all.

And he found that incredibly comforting.

Even if it wasn’t because of the darkness, the commute with Do-won was always enjoyable and comforting. It wasn’t like Do-won entertained him with funny stories while driving, nor was Yu-young chattering nonstop. Just being together was enough.

And once they arrived at work, Do-won always handled things skillfully to avoid drawing attention. Whether it was letting Yu-young get out first after carefully scanning their surroundings or taking a short detour before heading into the office himself—Yu-young knew that all those small considerations were Do-won’s way of looking out for him.

“There’s a new café that just opened. Want to grab a coffee on the way?”

“Yeah, sounds good.”

Walking through the quiet early morning streets together, exchanging small talk, and having Do-won naturally reach for his hand even while driving—these little things made Yu-young quietly, simply happy.

“…Why are you holding my hand while driving?”

“My hand’s cold.”

Yu-young couldn’t help but chuckle at Do-won’s nonchalant response. The heater was blasting in the car, and Do-won’s hands were warmer than his own. Even so, he had no intention of shaking him off.

The real problem was his heartbeat, pounding away cluelessly. Holding hands made him notice how big and well-shaped Do-won’s hands were compared to his own. His gaze kept drifting to the fingers gripping the steering wheel, and before he knew it, memories from last night came rushing back.

‘Ah… Hngh, Team Leader… It feels good….’

The memory of gripping Do-won’s wrist, babbling nonsense in a daze, struck Yu-young like a bolt of lightning.

For a split second, he nearly yelped and flung Do-won’s hand away but barely managed to stop himself. His face burning hot, he turned toward the car window, relieved that they had arrived at the café just in time.

—

“Let’s do it after lunch.”

“Yes, Team Leader!”

Right on schedule, Do-won stepped out of his office and called out to his team. In response, everyone promptly rose from their seats.

“Shall we eat at the cafeteria today?”

“Sounds good. Let’s go.”

As they walked out in small groups, waiting for the elevator, Do-won unconsciously looked for Yu-young first. His white, puppy-like face stood out among the crowd as he chattered animatedly with his colleagues. Just watching him made Do-won’s lips curve slightly upward.

The cramped elevator was filled with a chaotic mix of scents—someone’s perfume, the faint smell of makeup, the lingering traces of yesterday’s clothes. Do-won frowned slightly but soon caught a familiar, soothing scent amidst the jumble.

It was the faint trace of Yu-young’s pheromones, perfectly suppressed.

Inhaling deeply, Do-won let out a slow breath. His fatigue from the morning’s workload seemed to ease as his body welcomed the scent.

He wanted to reach through the crowd and hold Yu-young’s hand right now. He wanted to feel the warmth of that small hand in his grasp, like plugging into a charger and letting the contentment spread through him.

Ding.

The elevator doors opened, and they arrived at the basement-level cafeteria.

“Are you getting A today?”

“Oh, I’m going for B.”

With that, the group naturally split into two lines. Normally, Yu-young would have rushed off with Yoon-seok and Ju-yeon, but today, he slowed his steps.

Do-won, standing at the back, watched as Yu-young intentionally lagged behind, subtly closing the distance between them.

Suppressing the satisfaction bubbling inside him, Do-won quickly glanced around. Once he was certain they were out of sight from prying eyes, he reached over and took Yu-young’s hand.

The warmth he had been yearning for mixed with his own for a fleeting moment before they let go.

Yu-young looked up at him with a face so expectant, as if he had been waiting for that, that Do-won had the sudden urge to abandon lunch altogether and take him back to his office.

At that moment, Do-won’s phone vibrated softly.

Absentmindedly pulling it from his jacket pocket, he glanced at the screen—and his expression froze.

[Do-won. I’m outside your office. Can you come out for a moment?]