Juniper tilted his head. "Mark?"
Yong-Jin's lips pressed together, and then he glanced at him, expression serious but with a flicker of regret. "Yesterday, when you and the others… when we were together yesterday, we left marks on you. Not physical ones you can see, but… scent marks. It's a release of pheromones. To others like us, it announces that you're already claimed, that you belong with us. It was done instinctively, but also… deliberately."
Juniper's eyes widened, his mouth forming a small 'o.' He shifted in his seat, clearly trying to process the information. "So… people can smell you on me?"
"Yes," Yong-Jin admitted, his tone low. "My uncle noticed. That's why he asked to speak to me alone. Juniper—" he paused, his stoic mask faltering just enough to reveal the sincerity beneath, "—I want to apologise. We should never have made that decision without talking to you first. It wasn't fair. But we were… concerned. You seem to draw people in so easily. We wanted to protect what we have with you, to make sure others understood you're not available. Still, it should have been your choice."
Juniper blinked at him, stunned at first—but then a soft laugh slipped past his lips. Yong-Jin's gaze flicked to him, confused.
"Yong-Jin," Juniper said warmly, leaning closer. "It's okay. Really. I didn't know about marks before, but… I don't feel like I need anyone else. I only want you, Gio, Demetrius, and Daiju. If this mark thing keeps away people trying to flirt with me or… push themselves onto me, then honestly? That's kind of a relief."
Yong-Jin's eyes softened, the smallest crack of warmth slipping past his usual stoic expression. "Really?"
Juniper nodded, his smile gentle but steady. "I mean it. And besides, now that my cooking streams are picking up, I'm probably going to be recognised more. The last thing I want is strangers bothering me. If this helps… then I don't mind at all. It feels more like reassurance than anything else."
For the first time that day, Yong-Jin allowed himself a quiet sigh of relief. His hand briefly left the steering control to rest over Juniper's, a rare and tender gesture. "You're too forgiving, we should have told you before hand." he murmured.
Juniper squeezed his hand back. "Or maybe I just understand you all better than you think."
Yong-Jin finally had relief and spoke again, his tone lighter moving onto another subject "Demetrius and I… we've been discussing something. We'd like you to meet our families. Not immediately, but when you feel the time is right, we want to arrange visits. They should know the person who's become so important to us."
Juniper smiled ''Id love to'' But as soon as the words left his mouth, his smile softened into something gentler, almost wistful. "I… don't really have anyone here, I can introduce you to'' he admitted quietly. "Not like you all do. Sena, my brother… but he's not in this world." His chest tightened at the thought, that familiar ache resurfacing. "Sometimes I wish he could see all of this. See you guys. See… the life I'm building here."
Yong-Jin's hand tightened over his. His voice was low but steady. "We'll share ours with you. we'll make sure you never feel alone. My family…, but they'll see your heart. And Demetrius's parents—they're softer than he lets on." A flicker of rare amusement touched his lips. "They'll probably fuss over you endlessly. Although I don't know Gio's or Daijus family I'm sure they will be the same."
That pulled a small laugh from Juniper, easing the heaviness that had started to form in his chest. "I don't mind being fussed over. Honestly… it makes me a little nervous, meeting the families of the people I care about. What if they don't like me?"
"They will," Yong-Jin said firmly, no hesitation in his voice. "And if they don't, then that's their mistake. You've already become part of our lives, Juniper. No one can change that."
Juniper looked at him, heart warming at the conviction in his words. For someone who so often kept his emotions locked away, Yong-Jin's sincerity was like sunlight breaking through clouds.
"I think," Juniper said softly, "meeting your families… it'll make this feel even more real. Like I really belong here."
"You do belong," Yong-Jin answered immediately, his thumb brushing against Juniper's hand in a rare gesture of tenderness.