The snow fell soft around Min-jun, as he stared up into the starless night. The street lights cast a warm orange glow on the snowbanks, making the cold less unwelcoming. The park was quiet, save for a few couples seeking privacy between the trees, talking, kissing, doing who knows what. Meanwhile, Min-jun sat alone on this cold bench, having just gotten into another row with a customer. He sighed. He was going to be laid-off for sure. Perhaps it was for the best. Brothels weren’t a good place for omegas. And soon, he would not have to be in such desperate need of money, once Su-jin got her surgery, and his application for that job at the Detective Agency goes through. Maybe they’ll finally be able to live a normal life and leave this all behind them.
Something warm pressed against his cold cheek, and he shivered, finally taking notice of the chill climbing up his spine. The warmth came from a paper cup with the logo of one of the expensive cafes Min-jun couldn’t afford stamped all over it.
“Thought you’d be here.”
Min-jun did not have to shift his gaze to know who it was. “Piss off.”
“Always so hostile,” Cheol said. Min-jun spared him a glance and immediately regretted it. Cheol was dressed in a black coat with gold buttons and black trousers that fit him a little too well. His short, black hair was styled into gentle waves. His violet eyes reflected the streetlights and snow, painting them shades of pink and blue. Min-jun looked away before his thoughts could stray any further.
Cheol only laughed. “And after I came all the way here to make sure you were alright.”
“You’ve made sure,” Min-jun told him. But, as per usual, Cheol was unbothered. He sat back on the bench so they were sitting shoulder to shoulder, and held out the hot drink for him to take. The scent of the ginger tea mingled with that of Cheol’s own smell, like that of a forest in summer. It made Min-jun weak at the knees every time. He often wondered what he smelled like to Cheol. Was he just as irresistible to the alpha? The alphas at the brothel called his scent absolutely maddening. Min-jun wasn’t sure if he believed them.
“Drink,” Cheol said. “I can tell you’re freezing. It’ll warm you up.”
Min-jun glared at him but took hold of the cup despite his irate mood. He brought it to his lips, which tingled with the warming spice of ginger.
“No sugar,” Cheol said, casually. “Just how you like it.”
Unsatisfied, Min-jun puckered his lips. “Too much lemon.”
“Is that so? I’ll take it back, then.” Cheol reached for the cup, but Min-jun held the cup to his chest, shielding it from him. Instead of taking back his prize, Cheol placed a kiss on Min-jun’s cheek. He lingered for a second, his lips feeling hot against Min-jun’s skin. It warmed Min-jun right up, heat rushing to his face, hell, through his entire body.
Cheol pulled away seconds later, and Min-jun missed his warmth, so he slid closer to him, placing his head on Cheol’s shoulder. As expected, Cheol only wrapped an arm around his shoulders, the teasing left for another time. Min-jun sighed, feeling some of his annoyance dissipate like his breath on the wind.
“Do you know what today is?” Cheol asked, eyes on the distant store lights. Min-jun followed his gaze to the excessive displays of pink and red decorations: fairy lights, posters, neon signs declaring that one must absolutely buy their specially tailored bouquets.
“Valentine’s day,” Min-jun replied, bringing the brim of the cup to his lips. “So?”
“Let me spoil you for the rest of the day?” Cheol asked, catching a smooth coil of hair between his fingers.
“There are only a few hours left.”
“That is all I need.” Cheol intertwined their fingers, earning a pout and a sheepish nod from Min-jun. This affection always surprised him. He didn’t know how to react to it. He’d lived the last few years entertaining others. And before that . . . Min-jun had never really had an actual relationship before. He’d always been too busy, or too shy, or too heartbroken. Su-jin was the only person he could let into his heart. And yet, Cheol . . . was so damningly persistent, and Min-jun didn’t have it in him to stop the dashing young alpha. Guess even I want to be loved like this.
Cheol stood first, and then offered Min-jun a hand to help him up. Min-jun stumbled forward into Cheol’s arms, and he was suddenly caught in another embrace. Cheol had one hand in his hair, and the other around Min-jun’s waist. They stayed that way for an unknown amount of time. Perhaps it was seconds or minutes, lasting forever and ending too quickly.
“Cheol?”
“Hmm?”
Min-jun’s hands tightened on the fabric of his jacket, fingers digging into his back. Something was stuck in his throat, waiting to be said, but he was afraid to let it be known. Maybe I want something more . . . even more than being loved.
“Can we go to your place tonight?”
“Oh? A hotel room not taking your fancy anymore?”
“No.” And. “And I’m hungry.”
“I’ll cook something for you then.” Cheol released him, his fingers running along the ends of Min-jun’s fringe. It had been getting longer lately. He’d have to cut it again soon.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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“Yt.”
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. . .
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They passed glowing storefronts, watching as the lights flashed from one color to the next. Cheol did not speak a word to him, nor did he touch him. He seemed interested only in the information on his phone. Min-jun seized the moment of silence gratefully. Most of the time, Cheol would barely leave him enough time to process things.
What was there to mull over, though? Their relationship? It had been strange from the beginning, and now, over a year later, Min-jun had given up on understanding it. Cheol had an absurd fascination with him, and Min-jun could only wait for it to fade (for surely, it would fade).
“We are here.” The car came to a stop in front of the apartment complex: several large buildings surrounding a snowy courtyard that practically stank of wealth. Near the door to the main lobby, a display of fake flowers and glowing hearts awaited them.
“You can take the car back,” Cheol told Sun. “And take the rest of the night off. Otherwise, I fear your boyfriend will never let me hear the end of it.”
“Are you certain, sir?”
“Yes.” He touched the small of Min-jun’s back. “I won’t be going anywhere tonight.”
The implication wasn’t lost on Min-jun. Cheol’s way of spoiling him came in a few forms: Gifts, expensive trips, and fucking (or ‘making love’, as Cheol liked to call it). In return, he asked only for Min-jun’s company. It wasn’t a fair exchange, and so Min-jun couldn’t help but be suspicious of it.
They entered the apartment and it was just as it had been when Min-jun had last visited. Cheol wasted no time. As soon as the door clicked shut, he gathered Min-jun into his arms and pulled him into a kiss. Min-jun’s hands were on his biceps, his breath hitching. Slowly, his hands inched up until his arms wrapped around Cheol’s neck, pulling him ever closer. As much as he enjoyed their other activities, Min-jun loved kissing him the most. Tangled up in each other like this. Parting was a pity. Cheol pulled away and put their foreheads together, something somber in his eyes.
Right. Min-jun hadn’t slept with anyone tonight, but he’d been kissed plenty of other alphas tonight. You should be glad I didn’t do anything more! And why hadn’t he? Today could’ve been a good night, had Min-jun not acted up. Valentine’s Day. Customers were always a little more lonely on days like this.
“I’ll go take a shower,” Min-jun whispered, lowering his head and stepping away from Cheol. The bathroom was just across from the bedroom and far bigger than it needed to be. First, cabinets full of fresh towels on the right, and two familiar bathrobes on the left. The bath stood behind a set of glass doors, and was big enough to fit at least six people, and deep enough that Min-jun could sit down and be covered up to his chin. By the sink, were two toothbrushes in a glass, and in the shower, several hair products that Cheol definitely didn’t bother with despite having those gorgeous locks.
Min-jun might as well move in already. It would certainly beat the small apartment he occasionally shared with Su-jin. But taking her here wouldn’t be ideal, and living apart when Su-jin was already in and out of the hospital . . . Min-jun wanted the time that Su-jin was home to be spent together, at least.
Min-jun washed himself of all marks that he’d been with anyone else the past few days, scrubbing himself clean of their scents. His hair was treated with his five different hair products until it too looked sleek and shiny and smelled only of rose petals.
He donned his bathrobe and then proceeded to scrub his teeth clean in front of the sink, recalling Cheol’s pout when he’d kissed him.
There. That should placate him. When Min-jun left the steam of the bathroom, he smelled something wonderfully spicy. Jjambbong? Seafood noodles. His mouth watered at the thought of that delicious broth. Hold on.
“But you hate spicy food,” Min-jun said to him when he entered.
Cheol straightened, having just set down two plates at the dinner table. Now he wore a form-fitting dress shirt, opened just enough to show off some of his toned chest. Tease. Just leave it all unbuttoned! Tch. Candles had been lit, and as Min-jun drew closer, he saw that Cheol had dusted the table with a sprinkle of bright red rose petals. Min-jun picked up one velvety petal between two fingers. Real.
“Isn’t this a bit much?” Min-jun asked as Cheol wrapped his arms around his waist.
“How so?” Cheol asked.
Min-jun lifted three fingers, folding each one as he spoke. “Rose petals, a candlelit dinner, my favorite food. You’re not planning on proposing, are you?” Min-jun had meant it as a joke, but inside, his heart pounded.
“Unfortunately, the ring is still in transit.” Cheol sighed, mournfully. “I’m saving it for another day.”
Min-jun let out a laugh, giddy with nerves. Surely he wasn’t serious.
“I’m teasing,” Cheol amended quickly, kissing his cheek. “Come, let us eat.”
Min-jun scarfed down the spicy dish with ease, relishing the heat. As for Cheol, his eyes started to water on the first bite, his face began to turn red on the second, and by the third he’d let out a cough.
Despite himself, Min-jun laughed. Loudly.
Cheol downed a glass of milk, which made Min-jun laugh even more, and let out a sigh. “I do not know how you do it, my love, but I’m glad my suffering is a source of amusement for you.”
“Oh, darling,” Min-jun said, in a sugary sweet tone he knew could push all of Cheol’s buttons. He stood up and went to stand behind him, leaning in to whisper in his ear as his hands settled on his shoulders. “I thought you said you liked my laugh.”
Cheol reached for his chopsticks again, and Min-jun wrapped his hand around Cheol’s, stopping him.
“Let’s not eat anymore,” Min-jun said, arms wrapped loosely around Cheol’s shoulders. “You said you’d spoil me today.”
Cheol glanced toward him, briefly, before turning away. “Your mouth will taste like the noodles.”
Seriously?
“Fine,” Min-jun conceded, leaving Cheol where he sat once more. Contrary to his expectations, he was not pulled back and onto Cheol’s lap, having kiss after kiss stolen from him.
Tsk. Picky.
. . .
Min-jun paced around the bedroom. No matter how many times they do this, his nerves were always shot right before. Cheol had gone to take a shower, and now he waited, left alone with his mind, in this damn bathrobe. It beat the lingerie his customers bought for him, though. It was fluffy and warm and covered him past his knees. And when he laid down to sleep in it, only pleasant dreams came to him. Perhaps that was simply Cheol’s influence.
Min-jun pushed the drapes of one of the windows aside, looking over the city. He let out a sigh, taking in the sight of a million lights, that glowed as if competing to replace the stars.
Suddenly, he was pulled away from the window, and the world was blocked from his view once more. Cheol pulled on the ribbon of Min-jun’s bathrobe, closing the gap between them, his hand traveling down.
“Something catch your interest?” Cheol asked, the ribbon to Min-jun’s bathrobe becoming undone with a pull, revealing bare skin and leaving his arousal in plain sight. So close, Cheol’s scent nearly made his knees buckle, but he stood standing, his back pressed against Cheol’s chest.
“The night is brighter than I remember it being,” Min-jun whispered. Their lips met in a gentle kiss, unhurried, as they savored the moment between them. Cheol’s hands searched the planes of his torso, seeking pleasure points he knew too well. “Do you have everything?”
“As always, my love.” Cheol pecked him on the lips again, before deepening the kiss.
“Cheol.”
For some reason, simply saying Cheol’s name was enough to arouse him. Maybe it was an alpha thing?
Min-jun let out a whine when Cheol bit down on his neck, and Min-jun quickly realized he was one second away from being marked. “Cheol, please.” If they were bonded, Min-jun would definitely be out of the job.
Cheol stopped and placed soft kisses down his neck in apology. Min-jun reached for the belt of Cheol’s own bathrobe, figuring that it was unfair of him to keep it to himself when Min-jun was laid bare like this.
Min-jun sank to his knees and kissed Cheol’s hand.
“Min-jun,” Cheol said, grabbing his chin. “I’m the one who is supposed to spoil you tonight?”
Min-jun tilted his head to the side and fluttered his eyelashes. “This is not considered spoiling me? Permit me to have a taste.”
“Feeling vulgar today?”
Min-jun smirked, devilish as he began his work, his tongue tantalizing, teasing. He got a groan, a stifled moan, a clenched jaw. Not enough. “You know nothing of how vulgar I can be.” With his eyes half-closed, Min-jun asked, “Would you like to?”
Cheol met his smirk with one of his own. “I do believe you’re talking too much.” Cheol grabbed a fistful of hair and thrust into his mouth. Min-jun let out a small yelp that edged into a moan. Fuck. Yes. More.
He always had to poke the sleeping tiger.
. . .
Hours later, Min-jun laid pliant on the bed, with Cheol above him. They’d started off in a wholly different position, but somehow they always seemed to end up here. Min-jun found he didn’t mind all that much, as long as he could feel him inside. His back arching, Min-jun’s hands clawed Cheol’s back and through his hair, begging for purchase. His teeth had also left marks along Cheol’s neck, in an attempt to keep his more embarrassing sounds under control. Nothing that broke the skin, but it would bruise for certain. Min-jun wasn’t much better off, though Cheol was notably gentler with Min-jun than Min-jun was with him.
“So close,” Min-jun cried. “Cheol, Cheol, please.”
He came again, feeling exhausted, his breathing labored. He was spent. Cheol kissed him once more, as he too came undone. They laid together, Cheol holding him close, one hand cupping his face, the other around his waist, as if he might disappear at any moment. Silly. I’m not going anywhere.
“Cheol,” Min-jun moaned, his mind still hazy with pleasure and exhaustion, and so questions he didn’t bother asking suddenly became necessary to be asked. “What do I smell like to you?”
“Smell?”
Min-jun wrapped his arms around his neck. “You smell like . . . the forest. On a sunny day. Summer. Or maybe spring.”
“Mmm.” Cheol would not get off of him, so they remained, tangled together. “A forest.” He laughed slightly. “Fitting.” He buried his face in Min-jun’s neck. “Your smell is hard to describe. It’s comforting. Like . . . rain.”
“I smell wet?” he asked, a little indignant. “Rain doesn’t have a smell.
“Rain on earth,” Cheol hummed. “And citrus.”
Min-jun scoffed. “Citrus?” Not even a specific sort of citrus? “I smell like mud and oranges?” Not something more romantic? Like, chocolate or flowers or Cheol’s favorite tea?
“Are you not satisfied?” Cheol asked, lifting his head. Min-jun blinked, surprised at the question, and then averted his gaze, heat rushing to his face again. Those eyes. Why did they always sparkle like that? Was this the postcoital glow people talked about? That was supposed to be just for omegas, like Min-jun. Unfair. Life was so unfair! Min-jun covered his eyes with his arm.
“No, I’m . . . I’m satisfied.”
His arm was lifted, and Cheol appeared before him again, a fond smile on his face. Stop it. Min-jun’s mind screamed. Stop looking like you’re so stupidly in love!
“Let’s clean up then,” Cheol said, standing up from the bed, wincing a bit at the pain in his back. Min-jun was in worse condition because although Cheol had a tendency to be the most gentle of any of his lovers, Min-jun had just spent the better part of, what, six hours, getting skewered. It was unnaturally large, even for an alpha. And he was unnaturally skilled at using it. Unnatural! This man was unnatural in every way!
Cheol lifted him up slowly, trying not to jostle him too much. He ran a hot bath for them, smelling of Min-jun’s favorite rose body wash, and brought Min-jun into his arms. It hadn’t taken long for Min-jun to realize Cheol was excessively clingy after sex. Complaining was the last thing on his mind. Min-jun sank into his arms, his eyes shutting closed.
Cheol chuckled, lips brushing his forehead. “Oh, my love.”
. . .
The next day Min-jun woke up and went to the medicine cabinet to take his birth control pills as usual. He was met with an empty bottle.
Cheol was quite certain that the entire city heard his little lover’s declaration then. “Fuck!”
It was a good thing Cheol had bought a second bottle a few nights before. He presented it to his lover, who, as if to spite Cheol, thanked the gods (which he did not believe in) instead of him. He was truly lucky Cheol loved him so.
Min-jun threw his arms around him and kissed him three times. That was Cheol’s thank you, apparently. The gods were surely jealous now.
He really hasn’t changed very much at all. Cheol thought, remembering a distant past, and a Consort filled with a rage that could not be quenched. How I’ve missed you, my love.
A/N: I don’t know how to write smut so have this weird fade-out situation. This is the closest thing we’re getting to full-on smut because I just don’t like writing it nor am I good at writing it. I just hope someone writes some good smutty fanfiction someday and gives Cheol and Min-jun the night they deserve. Anywho, this is a present to myself for writing 100 chapters (currently 98, but . . .) chapters of HTKAK and a gift to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I hope you enjoyed it, and if nothing else, got a good laugh out of my poor smut-writing skills. Thank you to everyone who voted on whether this should be A/B/O or not. I struggled with that decision more than I’d like to admit lol.
I thought the smut was quite good! fans self
Yeah I’m good with it, too (cold soda can to the forehead).
Soooo cheol had memories of their past life?? And it was so good!! Full of flooff ☺
Thanks for the extra… The smut is just right 👍, its very good…. And I keep finding it hard to accept min Jun’s job at the brothel, my heart hurts for cheol whenever it’s mentioned….
FEELING VULGAR???
That was fun. I’ve never wanted to replace someone’s birth control with placebos before.