Jihyun sat curled on the floor beside the bed, knees drawn tightly to his chest, face turned away from the door.
When Taewon stepped in.
Jihyun's eyes were glassy, cheeks flushed too red. He wasn't crying out loud, but silent tears streaked his pale skin. His lips trembled. He didn't look up.
Taewon knelt down slowly, leaving a small space between them. His voice stayed low.
"Everyone's gone now."
Jihyun didn't move.
Taewon studied him closely. His face was burning. Skin flushed, breath uneven. Fever.
"You're not feeling well, are you?" he asked softly.
"Let's go to our room. I won't touch you. We won't sleep in the same bed. Lock the door if it makes you feel safe."
Jihyun finally glanced at him. His eyes were red rimmed and glistening.
"I know this marriage wasn't your choice," Taewon said.
"None of this is fair. I'm sorry I couldn't stop it. I tried but"
He hesitated.
"And I'm sorry about what happened this morning. With your father."
Jihyun's head shot up. Disbelief flared in his eyes. "How do you know?"
"Minjoon told me," Taewon admitted.
"He was worried. Said you needed someone to understand."
The tears that had been slowing suddenly rushed out again. No sound, just the jagged inhale of someone who'd been holding everything in too long.
Before he could think twice, Taewon moved closer and wrapped his arms around him.
Jihyun stiffened but only for a moment. Then his arms slid around Taewon's waist, gripping tight as he cried into the crook of his neck.
"I hate all of this," he choked out. "But I don't want to be alone anymore. I have no one. They don't care."
Taewon held him tighter.
"I'm here. You don't have to trust me yet. But I'll protect you, whether you believe me or not. I won't fail you as your partner."
He leaned back just enough to press his hand against Jihyun's forehead. The heat pulsed against his skin.
"You have a fever."
Jihyun's head dropped, too drained to reply.
"Come on," Taewon said gently, helping him up. "Lie down. I'll get medicine."
A few minutes later, he came back with water and fever medicine.
"Take this."
Jihyun took the pills and swallowed them quietly.
"Go take a bath," Taewon said. "You'll feel better."
Jihyun stood and headed to the bathroom.
When he came back, his eyes were swollen from crying, skin pale except for the flush that lingered from the fever.
Taewon reached out and gently took his hand. "Come."
This time, Jihyun followed without resistance.
In the main bedroom, Taewon had already made tea and placed a warm compress on the bed. He sat Jihyun down and handed him the cup.
"This will help."
Jihyun stared into the tea, tears slipping silently down his cheeks again.
"You should sleep somewhere else," he whispered. "Just leave me alone."
Taewon nodded.
"Alright. I'll be right outside. If you need anything, just call."
"I said you leave, please just leave."
He left without another word.
(In Midnight)
The clock ticked softly in the dark. Taewon sat on the couch, staring at the ceiling. Something didn't sit right.
He stood up and quietly made his way to the bedroom. He pushed the door open.
Jihyun was curled under the blankets. His face flushed deep red, lips parted as he breathed in shallow, rapid gasps.
His fever had spiked.
Taewon rushed to his side, heart pounding. "Jihyun." He touched his shoulder.
"Hey, wake up."
No response.
He peeled the blankets back and sat down beside him, releasing his pheromones into the air soft, protective waves.
Jihyun's expression slowly relaxed. His breathing eased.
Taewon grabbed a damp towel and gently wiped his sweat soaked forehead.
Then he just sat there, watching. Listening.
Jihyun's breaths were faint, fragile.
Taewon's thoughts spiraled as he stared at him. Then he leaned back and stared at the ceiling, his voice barely above a whisper.
"You're not the only one who got hit."
His breath caught in his throat as the memory returned.
(A Month Ago The Day Before the Family Meeting)
"I don't want to marry an Omega I've never even spoken to."
The room had gone cold.
His father's voice had sliced through it.
"You think this is some love story? You're the only son who hasn't embarrassed us. Don't start acting like the rest. Don't even think about leaving like those idiots or you know better "
"Dad,but why we don't have a choice ,I'm not a kid ,I'm a 27 years old man. Why you want to control me like some robot."
Then the slap. Harsh. Burning. Out of nowhere.
"You'll do what you're told. Or you know what I'll be doing with you. I won't resist the same mistake from anyone in this family again. "
And Taewon had.
He stopped arguing.
He obeyed.
Because that's what they all expected him to do.
"I never said no after that," he whispered, eyes on Jihyun's sleeping face. "Even when I should've."
"I wish I had your fire. The way you fight back I admire it. Even when it hurts."
He hovered his fingers just above Jihyun's hand but didn't touch.
"I'm sorry, Jihyun."
"Maybe I should've fought harder. Maybe you wouldn't be here like this if I had."
He leaned back again, resting at the edge of the bed.
"I'm not your enemy," he said quietly.
"I'm just the one who failed to protect you before I ever got the chance to try."
And so he stayed.
The whole night.
Watching Jihyun sleep, seeing just how deeply hurt he really was.