PO 60

After a long drive, Han Jaegang arrived at Han Jaehee’s house, he opened the trunk and picked up the things inside, splitting them between both hands.

Because the arrival time was irregular, Han Jaehee was often asleep, but today she came outside to meet him. She was wearing an apron stained with paint, maybe because she had been working, and when she saw Han Jaegang, she looked like she was fed up.

“Why did you bring so much stuff again?”

He walked into the kitchen with familiarity, and he set the things he brought down on the island counter. The large counter became packed with goods.

“Don’t tell me you think Woojeong-ssi just sits and eats for twenty-four hours straight?”

“Of course I know that. But why?” Han Jaegang asked back as if he couldn’t understand what the problem was.

“It means we can’t eat all this food you keep hauling here. Did you mistake this house for having about twenty people living in it? Please stop buying so much and bringing it here. Noona also has the ability to buy fruit.”

Every time he came to the house, he appeared with something. At first it was fruit, and then it was meat. After hearing that Woojeong ate well, he started arriving with both hands full of various foods.

The house had become so overflowing with things to eat that it was becoming a burden.

“The kid has no moderation. This is a warning, really. Don’t bring anything anymore.”

“Got it. Where’s Woojeong?”

“He went in to sleep. These days his naps increased a lot. He slept for quite a while on the sofa earlier too.” Han Jaehee, with a troubled face as she rummaged through the things on the counter, did him a favor and added one more word.

“The peaches taste good. He sat and ate several at once. Bring some more of that.”

“Alright.”

He took off his jacket, loosened his tie, and he headed toward the bathroom. After washing, he came out and gave Jaehee a small look of acknowledgment. She switched off the living room light to say she understood.

•••

Peach juice ran down his chin. It tasted so good that even after he ate until he was full and turned away, he soon thought of peaches again.

“Woojeong-ssi really likes peaches.”

Looking at Woojeong with satisfaction, Jaehee spoke. The reason Jaegang brought peaches was probably because she had passed on those words.

At first he thought it was a dream. He thought it was an illusion. At that time, it was hard to wake because of the drug’s effect. The next day, when he got up, there was no trace left where he had been.

He kept feeling like he had seen Jaegang in a dream continued for several days. When he asked if anyone had come at night, Jaehee avoided Woojeong’s eyes and asked who would come so late at night.

No matter how much he thought about it, it felt strange. That night, Woojeong didn’t take the medicine and lay on the bed as usual.

But even after waiting for a long time, there was no sign at all.

Was it just a mistaken thought? When Woojeong gave up waiting and was about to sleep, he heard the sound of the door opening.

Han Jaegang’s, which he could not forget even for a moment, entered his ears. The scent, the hand that held his hand, all of it was his. Woojeong closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. He felt like he must not let him notice that he was awake.

In the dark, Han Jaegang showed a little more kindness and revealed his real feelings to Woojeong. His voice, when he explained the things he had not managed to say or when he spoke about the things he had done wrong, was low and calm.

When he heard him saying that he was sorry, Woojeong barely managed to keep pretending to sleep.

The whole time they were together, he released his pheromones without holding back, and thanks to that, Woojeong’s body began to recover quickly. With Jaegang’s honest words and gentle hand, even the wounds in his heart that hurt more than his body began to heal little by little.

Woojeong waited for him every night, and Jaegang came without missing a day. Like that, the days where he pretended to sleep and spent the night with him continued. Woojeong, who could not fall asleep every night, became busy taking naps from the morning the next day.

“Secretary Joo said to be honest about everything, so what should I say? He felt the bed sinking, maybe because Jaegang leaned his body against the bed.

“While I was driving here, I kept thinking about the past, and I looked back on what kind of feelings I had at that time. Do you know what your pheromones felt like the first time? It was the first time I ever smelled such a clear and cool scent. It definitely looked like heat, but it wasn’t foul at all, and it was amazing.”

Woojeong held the blanket tightly.

“But that wasn’t the only reason I tried to find you. If someone else had your pheromones, then the story after that would have turned out very different. I would never have obsessed like this, and I would never have regretted what I was like before.”

Han Jaegang let out a long breath. He kept silent for a while, and then he opened his mouth again quietly.

“You must have been shocked when you saw what was in the study. I aimed at your weak spots, and I took advantage of your struggles. To me, that was natural. I thought as long as I kept you next to me, that was enough. I could have just said I liked you like you did, but instead I ignored that easy way and wandered a long road alone.”

He pulled the blanket and covered Woojeong’s shoulder. When his words stopped, the room sank into deep silence. Woojeong felt like his tears would burst at the hand that gently patted his shoulder like lulling a child to sleep.

“My feelings are still the same. Maybe it sounds frightening to you, but I’m going to keep you at my side. No matter what happens, I can’t yield that. Woojeong-ah.”

The voice that called his name was kinder and softer than ever. Remembering how he had resented him, telling him not to call him that, Woojeong bit his lip.

“…I like you. I always wanted to say those words too.”

When morning came, Han Jaegang would leave again, leaving only the scent he longed for. Woojeong didn’t want to send him away anymore. He rubbed away the tears that ran down from the corners of his eyes, and he pushed himself up to sit.

When Woojeong, who he thought was asleep, suddenly sat up, Han Jaegang stared at him, startled. Only after a short time passed did he seem to come to his senses and call Woojeong’s name.

“…Woojeong-ah.”

“I wanted to hear those words…”

Tears welled up in Woojeong’s eyes. He wanted to speak calmly and maturely, but he couldn’t.

“Heuhh…”

Woojeong wiped the tears that continued dripping, and then he started crying. He had never cried like that in front of anyone, but now he couldn’t suppress the exploding emotions.

Han Jaegang approached Woojeong who kept his head bowed. He stretched out a trembling hand, embraced his shoulder, and pulled him into his arms.

As he stroked Woojeong’s back, who sobbed pitifully, his shoulder began to grow damp.

Han Jaegang raised his head and looked out the dark window. His mind went blank as if it had stopped working.

“…Woojeong-ah.”

Finally holding the one he longed for in his arms, Han Jaegang buried his face in Woojeong’s soft neck.

Warm body heat and scent spread to him. His heart throbbed so hard with emotions beyond words that his chest trembled and his breath ragged.

Han Jaegang leaned against the bed’s headboard. Still held in his arms, Woojeong finally calmed after pouring out the tears he had held back.

As he gently rubbed his swollen eyes and patted his back, Han Jaegang asked.

“When did you know that I was coming?”

“I’m not sure.”

Woojeong’s nasal voice made Jaegang’s eyes soften.

“Right. Since it was in your sleep, you might not know properly.”

“But I still heard everything you said, Executive Director.”

“…You did?”

Leaning on his broad chest, Woojeong nodded. Han Jaegang clasped the back of Woojeong’s hand that held his shirt tightly.

“Did you also hear me say I was sorry?”

“……”

“Did you also hear me say Snow Reflection Residence became too lonely?”

“……”

“Did you also hear me say that I, Lee Woojeong, like you?”

At his questions, Woojeong kept nodding, and then he lifted his head. He thought he might start crying again if their eyes met, but he held it in and nodded.

Han Jaegang cupped Woojeong’s cheek, and like Woojeong had done, he gave a small nod. Woojeong held the hand cupping his cheek and stammered as he opened his mouth.

“The baby… I was going to say it. I was going to say that we, that our baby… we have one…”

“I know. Because of me, you couldn’t say it.”

“I also tried to answer your calls, but I didn’t have the courage…”

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault.”

“…I missed you so much.”

Han Jaegang paused, then rested his cheek against Woojeong’s head. Woojeong listened to the sound of his heartbeat. The steady rhythm reassured him that everything was okay, that everything would be okay.

•••

Early in the morning, Han Jaehee came out of her room, and as usual she headed to the kitchen. She planned to drink coffee and clear her head.

“Hm?”

She set a mug under the coffee machine, tilted her head, and moved her wheelchair. For some reason, Han Jaegang’s jacket and tie still lay where he had put them last night.

Normally, he would already have gone back to Seoul by now. She wondered for a moment if he might have left them behind, then she wheeled herself toward Woojeong’s room. She opened the door carefully, thinking she would just check for a moment, and she looked inside.

Through the open window, the thin curtains fluttered with the breeze. The room, where the sunlight was just starting to spread, held a warmer air than usual.

“…What is this?”

Han Jaehee hurriedly covered her mouth. She had thought he was already gone, but Han Jaegang was there. He was asleep, holding Woojeong in his arms.

What on earth had happened last night? Their appearance was so peaceful that it was almost absurd.

Han Jaehee stared at the two people who slept soundly, and then she quietly closed the door and stepped back.

“Han Jaegang, you bastard.”

A smile slowly spread across her lips as she let out a breath of relief. She glanced at the bundles piled on the counter and murmured quietly.

“I’m finally free from that mountain of food.”

Instead of stirring up the quiet house, Jaehee decided to return to her room and sleep a little more. It seemed fine to set aside her worries for the two of them for now.

Han Jaegang opened his eyes at the feeling that his arms had grown empty. Woojeong, already awake, sat at the end of the bed. He rose and went to Woojeong and wrapped his arm around his waist. At that warm touch, the unease that had startled him eased again. He rested his chin on Woojeong’s shoulder and asked with a husky voice.

“Did you sleep well?”

“…Yes. What about you, Executive Director?”

“Me too.”

Woojeong turned to look at him with his hand resting on Jaegang’s arm. His face was full of worry.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think noona came by. She must have been shocked to see us…”

“Shocked? If she saw us, she would have been glad.”

As if it meant nothing, Han Jaegang pressed his lips to Woojeong’s nape. A fresh and gentle scent rose from Woojeong, who had just woken. To him, it was more comfortable and beautiful than anything in the world.

“Your pheromone scent changed a little.”

“Really? Did it become strange?”

“No. It became better.”

Han Jaegang let Woojeong go from his arms, and he sat beside him side by side. Seeing Woojeong sit with their shoulders aligned and their feet pointed in the same direction, his eyes softened.

“Woojeong-ah. Shall we go home?”

“Right now?”

“Yes. Right now.”

He answered simply and waited for Woojeong’s decision. Many thoughts crossed his mind in that instant, but Woojeong did not take long to reply.

•••

As he said, autumn flowers were in full bloom at the Snow Reflection Residence. Whenever the breeze swayed them, the fragrance that rose from the flowers tickled Woojeong’s nose.

Woojeong looked at the Snow Reflection Residence with eyes filled with longing. It felt as if he had returned after being away for a very long time. The sky, which had looked like rain would pour when he left the house, cleared to blue.

His heart trembled for no reason. Woojeong placed his hand on his chest and steadied his breath, and Jaegang, who had stayed back to give him time to take in the house, approached.

“How is it. Do you also like the Snow Reflection Residence in autumn?”

“Yes.”

“That’s good.”

Standing beside him, he held out his hand. When Woojeong looked up , he signaled with his eyes toward the house.

“Shall we go inside now?”

Woojeong gazed down at the large hand he offered, and then he placed his hand on it.

“Let’s go in.”

Their steps toward the entrance were light. When they arrived, Han Jaegang opened the door, and Woojeong walked in first.

The space, once filled with cold and lonely air, turned into a warm and gentle home, welcoming back the two who had returned.