"Does it really take you this long to get ready? Your face is the same every day."
Mrs. Han's sharp voice echoed through the house as she straightened Jihyun's wrinkled collar for the third time that morning.
"I don't see how that's my problem when you're the one forcing me to go," Jihyun muttered.
Mr. Han, already dressed in his usual neat suit, checked the time while Minjoon stood beside him.
"We're heading to the office," he said. "Behave yourself today. No incidents. Here buy whatever you want."
He handed Jihyun a card.
Jihyun lazily waved and took the card without looking up. "Sure, sure."
Mr. Han's voice cut again.
"Let me say it one last time no incidents. Note it."
As the door closed behind them, Jihyun rolled his eyes.
"Everyone talks like I'm a walking disaster."
"You are," Mrs. Han replied without missing a beat.
The doorbell rang. The Kang family had arrived.
"Ah, Jihyun, you look even prettier today," Mrs. Kang beamed.
"Thanks," Jihyun replied.
Taewon stood next to Yumi and gave Jihyun a simple nod in polite greeting.
"Shall we go?"
Mrs. Kang looped her arm through Mrs. Han's like they were long-lost sisters.
(Shopping Mall)
The boutique's soft lighting bathed the racks of elegant suits and dresses in a warm glow.
"You should try this one and this too. This fabric will suit your skin tone so well," Mrs. Kang said, picking pieces like a doting aunt.
Jihyun tugged at the stiff fabric of the first suit. "Oh, you Don't need to auntie"
"You're engaged to my son. That makes you my precious child, too."
Taewon suddenly appeared beside him, holding out another jacket.
"This one's softer inside. More comfortable."
Jihyun blinked. "Did he notice that?"
"You looked uncomfortable," Taewon said.
"Oh."
He let Taewon adjust the collar. His fingers brushed lightly against Jihyun's neck.
"You really don't have to."
"I want to."
Their eyes met. Taewon gave him a warm smile.
"Fine. But I'm making you change a thousand times for revenge."
"As you wish, Han Jihyun."
(Selecting dress)
Taewon didn't complain. He changed suit after suit while Jihyun tried not to stare. Every style suited him sharp lines, soft fabrics, dark colors, light tones. He looked handsome in a way that made Jihyun's stomach twist for reasons he didn't want to think about.
When it was finally Jihyun's turn, Taewon stood patiently by, fixing his cuffs and smoothing a wrinkle on his sleeve with quiet care.
"You look good in this one,"
Taewon said simply.
Jihyun shrugged. "Of course I do."
From a distance, Mrs. Han hid a small smile. "At least someone knows how to handle him."
(During Lunch)
Jihyun picked at his dessert, sulking.
"You ordered sweets again, dear?"
Mrs. Han sighed.
"I'm stressed. I need sugar, Mom."
Mrs. Kang chuckled.
"Let him be. Planning weddings is exhausting for omegas."
Taewon pushed a glass of water toward Jihyun.
"Drink. You've had too much sugar already."
"You sound like an old man."
"I don't want you to feel sick later."
"I'm not that weak."
Taewon didn't argue. He let him eat whatever he wanted.
(At the Ring Shop)
"Something eye catching?"
the clerk asked.
"No," Taewon said right away.
"Something comfortable. Something he'll wear without complaint."
Jihyun frowned.
"Why are you deciding for me again?"
Taewon looked at him.
"Then pick it yourself. I'll wear whatever matches you."
"Huh?"
He didn't expect that not from Kang Taewon, especially after all the times he'd annoyed him.
"I want people to see us and know we belong together,"
Taewon said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"You're too good at this fiancé thing."
"You're too bad at accepting kindness."
Mrs. Kang laughed.
"They're so cute, omo."
Jihyun ended up picking something simple but elegant. Not too flashy. A soft band with a subtle shine. When Taewon slipped it on his finger for sizing, heat crawled up Jihyun's neck.
"This is fine, right?"
Taewon asked.
"Yeah."
For a second, Jihyun forgot to sulk.
(At Dinner Time)
Mr. Kang, Mr. Han, and Minjoon joined them for dinner. The conversation circled around the wedding.
"Saturday. It's all arranged. Close friends, business partners. No unnecessary fuss," Mr. Han said.
Mrs. Han nodded.
"Tomorrow, more shopping for final touches. I'll go with them."
"Afterward, let them spend time together. They need to understand each other's habits,"
Mrs. Kang added.
Taewon gave a small nod.
"I'll take care of him."
Jihyun rolled his eyes.
"Like I'm a houseplant or something."
"You need care, too,"
Taewon replied calmly.
Minjoon leaned in.
"See? You're in good hands."
"Good hands, sure. Prison walls, definitely."
Still, when dessert came, Jihyun ordered without hesitation. This time, Taewon didn't stop him.
"Eat whatever makes you happy."
Why does he keep saying things like this. Jihyun glared at his cake, as if it were the one to blame.