Taekyun slowly pulled away.
He straightened up, his gaze lowering toward Haneul.
Haneul's cheeks were flushed deep red, his lips slightly parted, still breathless.
For a brief second, Taekyun just looked at him.
Then a faint smile formed on his lips.
He lifted his hand and gently wiped the corner of Haneul's lips with his thumb.
"Let's go, and eat first "
He said quietly.
"Haru is waiting downstairs."
He held Haneul's hand and turned to walk.
But
"I…. I wanna"
Haneul's voice stopped him.
Taekyun paused.
He turned back, looking at him.
"You want to tell me something?"
His voice was calm and softer.
Haneul lowered his gaze.
How should I say it
Will he understand?
What if....
Taekyun watched him silently, waiting.
Haneul slowly looked up.
"I don't want to disturb you
and I don't want to"
His words faded again.
Taekyun stepped a little closer.
"Tell me clearly what you want,"
He said gently.
"Is something wrong?"
Haneul's fingers tightened slightly.
Then, quietly,
"Can I…. sleep with you..... in your room?"
He asked hesitantly.
"Every night"
It wasn't what he wanted to say.
But it was all that came out.
Taekyun looked at him for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"You can,"
He said simply.
"It won't disturb me."
Haneul nodded slowly.
His hand slipped into Taekyun's again, holding onto him as they walked out together.
The dinner was quiet.
Haru sat beside Taekyun, eating silently.
But from time to time, she glanced at Haneul.
A small, hidden glare.
She didn't say anything.
Taekyun had made her sit next to him instead.
Bora stood nearby, watching.
Her eyes lingered on Haneul longer than usual.
Worried, but she stayed silent, giving him space.
Haneul could feel it.
Every gaze.
Bora's concern.
Haru's quiet anger.
And Taekyun
Taekyun kept looking at him too.
Thinking all of this was because of him.
But none of them knew
What Haneul was actually going through.
[After dinner]
Haru stood up and walked to Taekyun.
Instead of going to Haneul, she held Taekyun's hand.
"Abba.… sleepy."
Taekyun didn't say anything.
He simply nodded and took her upstairs.
Bora quietly left for the kitchen.
The staff began clearing everything.
Haneul walked toward living room and sat there for a long time.
It was already 9pm
Haneul was still sitting alone in the living room.
The TV was on.
But the screen reflected nothing in his eyes.
He wasn't watching.
His mind was elsewhere.
If I sleep next to him
Will it help
His fingers slowly curled.
Maybe his pheromones
Jiwon hyung said,
Omegas feel better when they're close to their Alpha.
Maybe, it's because I've been away from him
"Haneul?"
A voice broke his thoughts.
A hand touched his shoulder lightly.
Haneul flinched.
His whole body jerked slightly.
"Oh"
Mina stepped back, startled.
"I'm sorry,"
she said quickly.
"I didn't mean to scare you."
Haneul stood up abruptly.
His face had turned pale.
"It's…. it's okay,"
He said, forcing his voice steady.
Mina looked at him carefully.
"You seemed lost,"
she said softly.
"And Bora was worried too
so I thought I should check."
Haneul avoided her gaze.
"No…. I'm okay."
Mina nodded slowly.
She gently patted his shoulder.
"I'll leave now,"
she said.
Then paused.
"But if something is wrong
please tell me."
She hesitated slightly.
"Bora was really worried about you."
Haneul looked at her.
Just before she turned to leave
"Mina"
Haneul called softly.
Mina stopped and turned back.
"Yes?"
Haneul hesitated for a second.
"Can I…. ask you something?"
His voice carried both curiosity and worry.
Mina noticed it.
She slowly placed her bag aside and nodded.
"Of course."
She looked at him attentively.
Haneul swallowed slightly.
"Is it okay….
if an omega stays close to their Alpha..... and stays covered in his pheromones
when they feel uncomfortable?"
Mina blinked once.
Then nodded gently.
"Yes, it's normal,"
she said calmly.
"And if he's your Alpha, then you should stay under his pheromones. It helps a lot."
Haneul looked at her, still unsure.
"I…. I mean.… if I"
Mina smiled softly, trying to ease him.
"Let's sit first."
They both sat down on the couch.
Mina turned slightly toward him.
"Now tell me properly,"
she said gently.
"What exactly do you want to ask?"
Haneul's fingers slowly tightened around his pants.
He looked at her.
"In pregnancy.... if I feel uncomfortable
and I stay near my Alpha
will it help?"
Mina's gaze softened.
So Bora was right something is wrong.
But she didn't show it.
Instead, she kept her expression calm.
"Yes, it helps a lot,"
she said.
"But it depends on the kind of discomfort you're feeling."
She paused.
"What kind is yours?"
Haneul looked confused.
"Kind?"
Mina nodded.
"Yes. Like fear, anxiety, trouble sleepin
or pain and heaviness in the lower abdomen
sometimes nausea too."
She spoke casually, as if it was all normal.
Haneul listened carefully.
Then, slowly
There isn't mention of blood.
Is my condition that serious?
His fingers trembled slightly.
Will I lose my child?
His breath hitched.
And…. what if he
Mina looked at him.
Her expression didn't change, but her heart tightened.
"So which one are you feeling?"
she asked gently.
Haneul quickly looked away.
"It's just nausea,"
he said.
"And feeling scared."
Mina watched him for a few seconds.
He's hiding it
Just like Bora said.
But pushing him now would only make him shut down.
So she smiled softly.
"It's okay,"
she said reassuringly.
"Stay close to sir. It'll help."
"Pregnancy is different for every omega," she continued.
"You'll feel a lot of things. It's normal."
"Just don't stress yourself."
Haneul nodded slowly.
Mina stood up, picking up her bag.
"Looks like it might rain,"
she said casually.
"I'll head home now."
Haneul stood as well.
"Okay"
At that moment, Taekyun came downstairs.
Mina bowed politely.
"Good night, sir."
Taekyun nodded once.
She quietly left.
Taekyun walked into the living room.
Haneul was standing there.
Looking at him
But not fully present.
Lost somewhere in his thoughts.
Taekyun stepped closer.
"Aren't you sleepy?"
Haneul shook his head slightly.
"I'm.... not."
Taekyun nodded.
Without saying much, he reached out and held Haneul's hand.
Haneul's heartbeat quickened.
Still, he followed him.
They both sat down on the couch.
Taekyun leaned back, turning his attention to the TV.
One hand still holding Haneul's.
He looked calm and composed.
Almost like a completely different person from earlier.
A faint, relaxed expression rested on his face.
Haneul glanced at him.
Then lowered his gaze again.
His thoughts were a mess.
I'll go for a checkup
I'll be fine
But what if
What if I lose it
Will he blame me?
His chest tightened.
I like Taekyun
Then how will he
His thoughts broke.
A sudden warmth spread through him.
Taekyun's pheromones.
They wrapped around him slowly.
Calm,deep and comforting.
The tightness in his chest eased.
Haneul's eyes lifted slightly.
Did he feel it?
My fear
Did he notice through my pheromones?
Before he could think further
Taekyun shifted.
Then slowly rested his head on Haneul's shoulder.
Haneul's body stiffened instantly.
But he didn't move.
Slowly, he relaxed again.
It felt strangely comforting.
Taekyun's voice came out quietly.
"Tomorrow is Haru's birthday."
A small pause.
"Don't overdo anything."
His tone was calm and simple.
But it carried care.
"Jina and Nayeon won't be coming either,"
Taekyun said calmly.
"There were some issues."
Haneul's head lowered slightly.
"They're not coming?"
His voice softened.
"Then Haru will"
He couldn't finish his sentence.
Taekyun spoke before him.
"I already told Haru,"
he said.
"She understands."
A small pause.
"So we'll keep it simple."
"Bora and Mina will arrange everything."
Haneul suddenly looked up.
"Amusement park?"
Taekyun's gaze shifted toward him.
"We'll go some other time,"
he replied calmly.
"All together."
Haneul's fingers tightened slightly.
"But…. but"
"I already talked to Haru,"
Taekyun cut in gently.
"She said she doesn't want to go."
"And tomorrow morning, I'll take her to kindergarten."
Haneul stared at him.
His chest felt tight again.
"But…. it's her birthday,"
he said quietly.
"She'll"
Taekyun's tone remained steady.
"Her teacher asked about it,"
he said.
"They're planning something for her."
"She'll celebrate with her friends."
"It'll help her get closer to her classmates."
Haneul's gaze slowly dropped.
Silence filled the space between them.
Then,
"It wasn't what I planned"
Haneul whispered.
"With Haru"
Taekyun looked at him.
"Hm?"
Haneul's voice trembled slightly.
"Is she angry with me?"
His eyes slowly filled.
"I didn't do anything"
he said, almost to himself.
"I just wasn't feeling well."
"And I stayed in my room all day"
His fingers tightened over his own sleeve.
"Maybe.… it's because I ignored her"
"She's not angry with you."
Taekyun said quietly.
He lifted his hands and gently cupped Haneul's cheeks, holding his face carefully.
"Her teacher specifically requested it,"
he continued.
"She wants to go meet her friends."
Haneul looked at him.
But his eyes were still trembling.
"I'm… really scared,"
He whispered.
"What if she starts hating me too"
"And what if I lose her too."
His voice broke.
"What if no one likes me"
Taekyun's jaw tightened slightly.
He could feel it.
Haneul's pheromones
They weren't just unstable.
They were disturbed.
Heavy and sharp.
Like something pressing directly against his chest.
This isn't just about last night
Something else is wrong.
Taekyun slowly stood up.
Then reached forward and held both of Haneul's hands.
"Haneul"
But before he could say anything
Haneul suddenly placed one hand over his belly tightly.
His fingers trembling.
"Can I not lose it?"
His voice cracked completely.
Taekyun froze.
"What?"
The words didn't process at first.
He looked at Haneul, his expression shifting into shock.
The pain in his voice
It wasn't normal.
It wasn't just fear.
It was too real.
Taekyun immediately lowered himself, kneeling in front of him.
Still holding his hands.
"What's going on?"
His voice was low.
Controlled but strained.
He took a breath.
"Are you having pain?"
Haneul shook his head quickly.
"No but I'll lose it"
"I don't want to"
"Haneul,"
Taekyun said firmly, trying to steady him.
"Calm down first."
Haneul slowly looked at him.
Their eyes met.
"Who told you that you'll lose it?"
Taekyun asked gently.
Haneul's lips trembled.
"I…. saw it"
"in a dream."
Taekyun exhaled slowly.
A deep breath.
He tightened his hold on Haneul's hands.
"It was just a dream,"
he said quietly.
Then more firmly
"You won't lose it."
His gaze softened.
"It's our child."
"I'll protect it."
Haneul looked at him.
But the fear didn't leave.
"but"
His voice faded again.
Taekyun slowly placed his hand over Haneul's belly.
Careful and gentle.
Then he looked up at him.
"We'll go to the hospital tomorrow,"
he said.
"We'll do a checkup."
"If something is wrong we'll fix it."
Haneul's fingers curled weakly.
"I…. I"
Taekyun squeezed his hand.
"Enough for now,"
he said softly.
"Stop thinking."
But Haneul shook his head again.
"I don't"
"My mom said, I will lose it."
Taekyun paused.
For a brief moment, he didn't know how to respond.
But seeing Haneul like this
He didn't argue.
Instead, he stood up and carefully lifted him into his arms.
"It's okay,"
he said quietly.
"Let's sleep first."
"We'll go for a checkup."
Haneul didn't resist.
He just buried his face into Taekyun's chest.
How do I explain this to you?
His thoughts trembled.
If I don't
I'll lose it
Taekyun carried him upstairs.
"Haru is already asleep,"
he said softly.
"And I told her you're not feeling well."
"So, you'll be sleeping in my room tonight."
Haneul only hummed faintly.
When they reached the room, Taekyun gently laid him down on the bed.
Then he laid beside him.
Pulling him close.
His arms wrapped around Haneul securely.
Slowly his pheromones spread.
Warm,calm and protective.
Wrapping completely around Haneul.
The tension in Haneul's body eased almost instantly.
His breathing slowed.
Within minutes
He fell asleep.
But Taekyun didn't.
He stayed still.
Eyes open,mind restless.
Downstairs,
He had gone to talk about the blood stains with Haneul Earlier.
What Bora told him.
But this was worse.
Much worse.
His gaze shifted slightly toward Haneul.
Sleeping peacefully now.
But earlier
That fear, desperation
It wasn't normal.
This isn't just physical
Taekyun's jaw tightened slightly.
It's affecting him mentally too.
And his pheromones
They're unstable.
For the first time
A quiet fear settled inside Taekyun as well.
Tomorrow no matter what, I'm taking him to hospital