"EUNTAK Hyung, this sunbae is so funny."

Cho Euntak just sighed at Go Gunjoon’s teasing remark, and then he glared at Baek Jeho. "I’m going to remove my hand. But if you say something crazy again, I’ll never talk to you again. Nod if you get it."

Baek Jeho nodded immediately.

Only then did Cho Euntak remove his hand from Baek Jeho’s mouth.

But that brat really hadn’t learned his lesson yet.

"Euntak-ah, why do you need toys?" Baek Jeho asked in a hushed voice. "If you want to know stuff, then ask me."

Aigoo.

"You didn’t even consider that I might want to explore my body first?"

"Oh..."

"You’re really not beating the ’All Alphas are selfish’ allegations, Baek Jeho."

"I’m sorry for being a selfish Alpha..."

Cho Euntak sighed while shaking his head.

He was about to scold Baek Jeho again, but...

"Ah, are these your friends, Baek Jeho?"

Another Alpha approached them, and the guy seemed familiar with Baek Jeho...

... or maybe not.

After all, Baek Jeho frowned.

"An Alpha and a Beta?" the new guy asked while eyeing Cho Euntak and Go Gunjoon, and then his gaze suddenly got fixed on Cho Euntak. "Baek Jeho, is this your partner?"

Both Baek Jeho and Cho Euntak frowned.

But before anyone could react, the obnoxious Alpha had already opened his mouth.

"Are you Baek Jeho’s partner?" the annoying dude asked Go Gunjoon shamelessly. "You’re brave. You entered this shop without a face mask. I mean, are you not embarrassed? Everyone who comes here wants the same thing."

Go Gunjoon tilted his head to one side. "What should I be embarrassed about?"

"Oh, come on. Are you not embarrassed of being found out that you’re sexually active? Especially since you’re a male Beta. That means you’re, uh, on the receiving end."

"Why should I be embarrassed when Alphas like you love bragging about having sex all the time?" Go Gunjoon asked bluntly. "Plus, it’s rude to assume my "position" just because I’m a Beta, especially since we don’t even know each other. This is practically sexual harassment."

"Sexual harassment?" the obnoxious Alpha scoffed. "I’m just stating a fact."

"In what world is that a fact?" Baek Jeho retorted, shooting his acquaintance a cold look. "Jin Sangho, do you really want to get charged with sexual harassment? Don’t try me."

So, that jerk’s name is ’Jin Sangho.’

Cho Euntak would remember that and pray for the obnoxious Alpha’s bad karma.

"Oh, come on, Baek Jeho," Jin Sangho complained. "Why are you being defensive? Ah! Is this Beta your partner?"

Both Go Gunjoon and Baek Jeho made a disgusted face.

"No, you’re wrong," Cho Euntak said firmly, grabbing Baek Jeho by the arm and pulling his closer to him. "I am Baek Jeho’s partner— in every sense of the word."

Baek Jeho gasped— clearly pleasantly surprised by Cho Euntak’s claim.

Go Gunjoon smiled teasingly.

But Jin Sangho...

"You’re both Alphas, though?"

Oh.

Okay, now that made Cho Euntak feel bad.

Should have I just kept my mouth shut?

"So what if Cho Euntak and I are both Alphas?" Baek Jeho snapped at his acquaintance. "It’s none of your business, Jin Sangho. Shut your mouth before I shut it for you."

Woah.

Is this the same Baek Jeho in high school, who kept his mouth shut when his friends said upsetting stuff about Alphas dating each other?

Obviously not.

"Baek Jeho, are you being for real now?"

Baek Jeho didn’t say anything— but his heavy and stinky pheromones leaked out.

Oh, he’s mad mad.

Cho Euntak and Jin Sangho, who were both Alphas, flinched.

Baek Jeho was clearly stronger than them, so his pheromones were intimidating. The pheromones he released was no different from bloodlust.

Thank goodness Go Gunjoon was a Beta.

At least, the kid won’t feel the heavy animosity in the air.

"Excuse me, customers, you’re disrupting our business."

Oh, no.

Cho Euntak and their group were kicked out of the adult shop.

***

"THANK YOU for driving me home, Hyungs."

Cho Euntak, who was sitting in the passenger seat of Baek Jeho’s car, nodded. He had the window rolled down to talk to Go Gunjoon. "Are you sure you don’t want to have dinner with us?"

"Thank you for the invitation, but my mom is coming over tonight," Go Gunjoon said, smiling apologetically. "Maybe next time, Hyung."

"Alright."

Go Gunjoon then looked at Baek Jeho. "Thank you, Jeho Hyung."

It was funny how a short ride made Baek Jeho and Go Gunjoon close already.

Well, it was Baek Jeho who asked the kid to call him ’hyung’ instead of ’sunbae.’

It’s probably because Baek Jeho realized that Go Gunjoon isn’t interested in me in a romantic or sexual way.

"Sure," Baek Jeho answered coolly. "Call us if someone bothers you again."

Go Gunjoon smiled and nodded.

They watched the kid enter the apartment building before they left the premises.

"What do you want to eat, Euntak-ah?" Baek Jeho asked while driving, his eyes glued to the road. "There are plenty of restaurants here."

"I’m still from the lunch I had with Gunjoon," Cho Euntak said. "Sohee Hyung treated us to a nice restaurant."

"Sohee Sunbae was with you earlier?"

"No, but he booked the restaurant for me and Gunjoon."

"He really cares about his brother, huh?"

"Well, that and Sohee is naturally a caring person."

"Yeah. That’s why I still can’t believe that someone as nice as Sohee Sunbae ended up with someone like Heedo Hyung."

Pfft.

Cho Euntak chuckled, and then he got serious. "Baek Jeho."

"Yeah?"

"I’m sorry."

"For what?"

"For suddenly saying that I was your partner, without consulting you," Cho Euntak said, feeling guilty. "I wasn’t thinking straight. We’re both Alphas, so I should have been more careful. If a rumor starts that you’re dating a fellow Alpha, I’ll help you clear it out."

He was suddenly overwhelmed by possessiveness earlier that he failed to think about the consequences of his carelessness.

I forgot for a moment that an Alpha and Alpha relationship is frowned upon.

"Why are you apologizing for saying something that made me happy?"

"It made you happy? But when we were in high school, you were also one of the Alphas who find Alphas dating other Alphas disgusting."

Yes, Baek Jeho didn’t know that Cho Euntak was an Alpha at the time.

Even so, he still couldn’t forget how he reacted back then.

"I don’t find them disgusting," Baek Jeho said defensively. "I just didn’t care at the time. But now I know that being a bystander is just as bad as being a bully. I’m really sorry about that, Euntak-ah. I regret being ignorant. I’ve hurt you back then, right?"

"Yeah, I was hurt by your silence. I thought you hated Alphas who date other Alphas, so I didn’t tell you about my late manifestation."

"I’m really sorry. I’m doing my best to be a more decent person now."

"As long as you know," Cha Euntak said, and then he changed the topic. "Baek Jeho, I want to eat cake and have a smoothie. I’m suddenly craving sweets. Can we have that instead of a proper dinner?"

"Sure," Baek Jeho said. "Let’s get everything you want."

***

CHO EUNTAK chose a restaurant that was also known for its desserts.

After all, Baek Jeho hadn’t had dinner yet.

I can’t let him eat cake for dinner.

Thankfully, the restaurant they chose offered both of their current cravings.

Baek Jeho had steak and pasta, while Cho Euntak had an entire hazelnut praline cake for himself.

While Baek Jeho had red wine, Cho Euntak ordered vanilla bean cream soda float.

Too many sweets, I know.

"Euntak-ah, let’s exercise later," Baek Jeho said while eyeing the food that he ordered. "And let’s start eating a more balanced meal starting tomorrow."

Aigoo.

I thought Baek Jeho wouldn’t say anything since he readily agreed to let me eat whatever I want. But I guess he didn’t expect me to down an entire cake. I even ordered cream soda float as my drink.

"Just let me enjoy my dinner in peace," Cho Euntak complained lightly. "I’ll drink plenty of water later."

"I’m just concerned about your health, Euntak-ah."

"I know," Cho Euntak said, and then he changed the topic. "Baek Jeho, were you about to buy toys in that store?"

It was okay to talk about that because there were no other guests near them, as the tables around them were empty.

"Uh, yeah?" Baek Jeho answered awkwardly. "Condoms and lube, too."

"Oh."

"I figured you’d be too shy to buy those— both online and in the real store," Baek Jeho said, pausing for a moment. "Or so I thought. Who knew we’d meet in an adult shop?"

"Hey, I’m an adult, too."

"I know. But I want to prepare those things for you."

"For me?"

"You’re topping me, aren’t you?" Baek Jeho asked, his face as red as a tomato now. "I wanted to buy condoms for you. And lube for us to use."

Oh.

Cho Euntak blinked, surprised.

So, Baek Jeho was serious about letting me top him?

Then Baek Jeho was that desperate to sleep with me?

Cho Euntak knew that it wasn’t about lust.

Baek Jeho could sleep with anyone he wanted, whenever he wanted. And he didn’t have to be the bottom. But he’s willing to give his, uh, ’virginity’ to me. That means he really wants me.

He knew it was the bare minimum.

Even so, I’m touched by Baek Jeho’s resolve.

"Baek Jeho."

"Yeah?"

"I have a question," Cho Euntak said, and then he suddenly dropped the bomb. "Baek Jeho, what are we now?"

Baek Jeho looked surprised, but he didn’t miss that opportunity to give a proper response. "I want us to officially start dating, Euntak-ah. How about you? Have you forgiven me for all the hurtful things I did to you?"

"I want to move on from that and start a new relationship with you," Cho Euntak answered sincerely. Yes, Baek Jeho had hurt him in the past. But he wasn’t angry anymore. After all, he could see that Baek Jeho really liked him. "Baek Jeho, let’s date."

***

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