RACA 97

Jaebeom looked at his omega’s wet face, then at the calendar glowing on his phone. Time had passed quickly, and the new year was only a few days away.

And today was Christmas Eve, a day couples always celebrated. But Eunsol didn’t look like he had the space in his mind for that.

Well, the thirsty one has to dig the well.

“Eunsol, do you want to eat out for dinner today?”

“…Eat out?”

The reaction he got from the suggestion wasn’t good. Eunsol’s pupils even trembled, and Jaebeom fell silent for a moment.

What’s going on?

These days Eunsol’s emotions went up and down like a rollercoaster. If Jaebeom rushed him, he’d cry, so he needed to watch him carefully.

“Can’t we just order something at home?”

“Is it hard to go out?”

His red, slightly swollen eyes and puffed lips bothered Jaebeom, so he placed a hand on Eunsol’s forehead. He felt a slight fever. Going out might be too much in this state.

But Eunsol didn’t immediately answer. He bit his lip as if he had something on his mind but didn’t know how to say it.

Jaebeom decided to wait quietly.

He caught a whiff of a sweet scent, it smelled like honey mixed with vanilla and a hint of strawberry. It flowed from Eunsol’s pheromones, probably because he was satisfied with the pancakes and milk he just ate.

Breathing in the pleasant scent, Jaebeom softly patted Eunsol’s shoulder. It was their first Christmas together. So he had booked a room at a quiet forest hotel and prepared a special room service dinner.

But Eunsol’s feelings mattered more, so he could give everything up. He just didn’t want to see Eunsol anxious while holding something inside.

“…I don’t have clothes to wear when we go out.”

After hesitating for a long time, Eunsol finally confessed in a small voice. Jaebeom, who had been quietly enjoying the sweet breath and warm body of his omega, lifted his eyebrows.

“Clothes?”

He blinked, then looked down at the person in his arms. A loose sweatshirt and stretchy pants.

“I, I gained weight lately.”

Two teddy bears were drawn on his yellow shirt. Chairman Jang had sent him the homewear, saying he dreamed of two cute bears hugging each other.

“You look good. Why?”

Jaebeom gently rubbed Eunsol’s belly as he comforted him sincerely. Before, Eunsol was so thin that Jaebeom even worried if he could carry twins. But after eating well and resting, his pale cheeks filled out nicely, and his arms and legs looked sturdier. It was a relief. But Eunsol probably didn’t feel the same.

His lip, which he kept biting, pushed out in a little pout.

“I don’t have anything to wear right now. How am I supposed to go. You’re teasing me, right?”

His teary, resentful glare made Jaebeom finally realise.

“No. I’m serious. You look a lot healthier than before. You can wear anything.”

“How can I? It’s Christmas Eve. The restaurant’s going to be crowded.”

Eunsol’s lips poked out even more. Jaebeom felt even more apologetic. He should’ve explained better.

“We’re not going to the restaurant. I meant just going for a drive, then eating quietly at the hotel.”

“Hotel?”

“Yeah. You know the hotel next to the arboretum I’ve been watching. I booked it. And I prepared the dinner as room service.”

At the explanation, Eunsol’s eyes rolled slightly. Jaebeom noticed immediately that his mood had softened a little and added firmly:

“There’s a private parking lot, so you won’t run into other guests. Just think of it as getting some fresh air and eating something good.”

“…I want to see the tree.”

“Okay. I’ll have them prepare one in the room too.”

That was something he could solve immediately by giving an order. He answered quickly, but Eunsol shook his head.

“Not that. I heard there’s a big tree set up on the way from the hotel to the arboretum. I want to see that.”

“Okay. Then let’s walk there after dinner and look at it together.”

That answer seemed to satisfy him, and Eunsol nodded. As more of his weight leaned into Jaebeom, Jaebeom felt relieved.

“Then let’s sleep for a bit and go when we wake up.”

“Okay. I’ll wake you up later.”

Soon Eunsol closed his eyes. He had cried a lot while watching the drama, so it was inevitable that he would be tired.

Jaebeom kissed Eunsol’s forehead and cheek, then supported his thighs and back and lifted him carefully.

“I’m heavy…”

Even half asleep, Eunsol mumbled like he felt sorry.

“You’re not heavy.”

Even if he was, Jaebeom would never let him sleep uncomfortably on the sofa. The cat that had been lying quietly near the sofa rushed after them.

When it tried to follow them into the bedroom, Jaebeom blocked it with his leg. The cat flicked its tail in displeasure, so he lifted an eyebrow.

“Shh. Go away.”

He wasn’t someone who’d let anything disturb his omega’s rest. Even if the culprit was his own cat.

Alpha pheromones slowly spread through the air.

“Mmm…”

Eunsol smiled, looking like he felt good. His belly even seemed to wiggle a little. It wasn’t visible through the thick shirt, but Jaebeom imagined he saw it anyway.

“Sleep well.”

Jaebeom set him down on the bed, covered him with the blanket, and then caught the cat trying to jump onto the mattress.

“You’re not allowed.”

Meow!

Eunsol didn’t notice the quarrel between the alpha and the cat. He simply fell into a warm, comfortable nap, wrapped in pleasant pheromones.

•••

Two hours later, Eunsol changed into clothes with Jaebeom’s help. A loose white shirt, a cream knit, and comfortable banded pants. He looked perfectly fine to go outside.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes!”

Eunsol, more excited now, followed him into the car. They left the glowing lights of Yeouido, crossed the Han River bridge, and reached the hotel next to the arboretum. It was around seven in the evening. The guests had already settled in, and the parking lot and hallways were quiet.

“Wow…”

Eunsol gasped as soon as they entered the room. Inside, a big window, a long table, soft lighting, candles, a two tier cake, and teddy bears decorated the space.

“What would you have done if I said I wasn’t coming?”

Eunsol looked at Jaebeom as he helped him sit. But Jaebeom didn’t think it was a big deal.

“I don’t mind.”

He wasn’t the type to feel regret over these things. But it clearly wasn’t the answer Eunsol wanted.

“Don’t say it like that. If you prepared something, you should explain it to me properly. It makes me feel bad.”

Hearing the long sigh and complaint, Jaebeom immediately nodded.

“Okay. Come on, sit with me.”

He didn’t mind. Next time, he simply wouldn’t make such a situation.

They clinked glasses of non alcoholic cocktails and ate dinner.

After that, they walked down the path holding hands. They hardly passed anyone, and Eunsol’s stiff shoulders slowly relaxed.

At the end of the walkway, they stopped in front of a huge Christmas tree.

“It’s really pretty.”

“Do you want a picture?”

Jaebeom only wanted to capture how beautiful Eunsol looked, but when Eunsol turned around, his eyes were watery, and Jaebeom froze. He didn’t ask why he was crying and instead held Eunsol’s hand gently.

“Think of it as a picture with the twins. You look really good, that’s all.”

Eunsol didn’t speak for a while. Then he pouted and walked toward the tree.

“Here.”

He placed both hands on his belly and looked at Jaebeom, telling him to hurry and take the picture. Jaebeom’s lips curled into a small smile.

“I’ll take it.”

One, two, three.

The camera clicked, and his precious omega filled the photo. With the scattered lights around him, he looked even more beautiful and radiant. Jaebeom couldn’t take his eyes off the picture for a long time.