Taewon's grip lingered longer than it should have, his hand firm around Jihyun's wrist.
When he finally let go, Jihyun stumbled back, cheeks flushed, heart pounding so loudly,
He looked up, expecting that usual calmness in Taewon's eyes,
but instead found a gaze weighed down by exhaustion like he had just lost something precious. Without a word,
Taewon turned and started walking away.
"Wait" Jihyun muttered under his breath, watching his back.
Something about him felt wrong.
Jihyun followed, trying not to make it obvious.
"Why did Taehyun come here?"
he finally asked.
"He came for some work,"
Taewon replied flatly. Then, without meeting his eyes, he added,
"Go change and sleep. I'm going out for a while."
He grabbed the car keys, still in his slippers, no coat. Jihyun frowned.
Why is he acting like this?
Like someone fresh out of a heartbreak.
"Yah!" Jihyun called, voice sharper.
"Where are you going at this time?
First, you called me back.
Because of you, I missed my movie night. We were going to eat ice cream,?
And now you're leaving?
You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
He trailed after him, frustration bubbling over.
"You come and go whenever you want, but for me, you act like some jail guard who has to drag the thief back before midnight!"
Taewon didn't reply.
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong or not?"
Jihyun finally snapped, patience gone.
Taewon stopped, turned, and said in a low voice,
"Nothing. I'm just… not feeling well."
Jihyun's anger exploded.
He threw the bag in his hands to the floor, face burning red.
"Fine! Don't tell me. Go die, then! Or go to that Harin, or mina, or whoever you want, and tell them instead!"
He stormed toward his room.
But Taewon's hand was sudden rounded his wrist again, pulling him back.
"Yah! You're going to break my arm
what are you doing?"
Jihyun struggled as Taewon dragged him out the door.
The next thing he knew, he was being gently shoved into the passenger seat of the car.
"If you're going to throw me out, then leave me on the road,"
Jihyun complained, buckling up angrily.
"I can go on my own. Just give me money,
I'll get a hotel.
At least I won't be stuck in this cage with you."
Taewon said nothing, only drove in silence.
When he finally pulled over,
Jihyun blinked in surprise.
They were by the Han River, neon lights from the bridge reflecting on the water.
Across the road stood a small ice cream shop.
"Let's go," Taewon said simply.
"Where?" Jihyun frowned
until his eyes landed on the shop.
His pout disappeared instantly, replaced by wide-eyed excitement.
"You brought me here for… wahhhh!"
"Order," Taewon said, already pulling out his wallet.
Jihyun didn't need to be told twice.
He bounced inside and pointed at the menu. "A giant bowl with all twelve flavors, please!"
The shopkeeper looked at Taewon.
"And for you, sir?"
"I don't want anything,"
Taewon said, handing over the money.
(Moments later)
Jihyun was sitting on the trunk of the car by the river, legs swinging as he dug into the colorful mountain of ice cream.
"I'm not sharing this. If you want some, go buy your own,"
he warned between bites.
"I don't eat sweets,"
Taewon said, watching him quietly.
"Why?" Jihyun paused, spoon mid-air. Then he smirked.
"Ah, of course. You're an Alpha. All serious, no sugar, always acting like the world will reject you if you eat like a normal human."
Taewon glanced at him "wrong"
" I watched this in alot of dramas, I know better, you shut up, "
Taewon gaze stayed on Jihyun, unreadable.
Jihyun huffed.
" And also, stop dragging me around like I'm some toy.
Since the first day of this marriage, whenever you take me somewhere,
it's always by pulling or pushing or carrying me.
Do I look like a doll to you?
I have legs, you know. Next time, try asking me with words like a normal person."
Still, Taewon just stared, eyes sharp and steady.
"Yah, stop glaring at me like a detective,"
Jihyun muttered, and before he could stop himself,
he scooped a spoonful of ice cream and shoved it into Taewon's mouth.
"Here. Eat. If you spit it out, I'll shove the rest straight into your eyes."
For the first time that night,
Taewon blinked caught off guard by the sudden sweetness melting on his tongue.
Satisfied, Jihyun went back to eating with exaggerated seriousness, polishing off the last of the giant bowl before rubbing his stomach happily.
"Let's go."
(Back at the house)
Jihyun yawned, already heading upstairs. "Good night," he tossed over his shoulder.
Taewon lingered in the living room, then finally went to his room.
He sat on the edge of the bed, hand pressed over his chest where his heart was pounding uncontrollably. It refused to calm down.