DOTH Volume 1 Chapter 2.5

Director Yeon murmured the name again, this time with a slight furrow of his brow.

An unexplainable thirst suddenly overwhelmed him. It was as if the cigarette he had just stubbed out hadn’t satisfied him at all. Without hesitation, Director Yeon pulled out another cigarette and lit it. The small flame from the lighter pushed back the darkness momentarily. In the glow of the flame, his face remained as composed as ever, giving no hint of the restlessness within.

“Director…”

The soft voice calling him prompted Director Yeon to turn slowly. The living room door had opened, and Jung Heeyeon stepped onto the balcony where he stood. Bright indoor light spilled out, casting his face into clear view.

It seemed like he had just woken up, his eyes were still heavy with sleep, his expression drowsy. Jung Heeyeon rubbed one eye with his hand, as if trying to shake off the lingering sleepiness, and walked toward him. He wore his pajamas with a cardigan draped over them, the oversized sleeves drooping past his hands.

“Yeah, Heeyeon.”

Director Yeon responded warmly, calling his name with gentle familiarity.

“Did you just get back?” 

“Yeah.”

“Oh… the smell of cigarettes.”

“Do you not like it?”

Despite asking, Director Yeon made no move to extinguish his cigarette.

“Pardon? No, I like it…”

“You like it?”

Amused, Director Yeon let out a soft laugh. He didn’t believe anyone genuinely liked the smell of cigarettes. Lowering his gaze to gauge the other’s inner feelings, he watched as Jung Heeyeon replied softly.

“Yes. I like it. It smells like you, Director…”

His light brown eyes, still tinged with sleep, seemed to clear slightly, though his voice remained hazy.

“Like me?”

Director Yeon raised an eyebrow. It was unlikely that Jung Heeyeon had caught a whiff of his pheromones.

“I mean the smell of your clothes.”

He clarified, referring to the faint scent of cigarettes lingering on the cardigan.

“Hmm. So you liked that?”

“Yes.”

Jung Heeyeon nodded gently and moved closer to Director Yeon. Gripping the railing, he turned his gaze to the cityscape. Unlike Director Yeon, who observed the view with indifference, he seemed intent on savoring every detail of the night.

Director Yeon took a drag from his cigarette, letting his gaze sweep over Jung Heeyeon. His observing eyes skimmed over the pale neck and collarbone peeking out from the loose pajamas. The faint bruises that had irked him on their first encounter were still visible on the omega’s fair skin. Though they had faded enough to be barely noticeable, they continued to gnaw at his nerves.

He exhaled a thin stream of smoke, his sharp gaze brushing over Jung Heeyeon like a slow caress. The smoky haze lazily drifted from his lips, dissipating into the cold night air.

“Heeyeon.”

“Yes?” 

Jung Heeyeon’s response was clearer than before, the cold air having shaken off any remaining drowsiness. When Jung Heeyeon turned his head slightly, the neckline of his pajama top shifted, exposing the delicate line of his collarbone even more. Director Yeon’s gaze lingered momentarily on the small omega wearing his clothes before he spoke in an indifferent tone.

“Will you wear other alphas’ clothes too?”

“Pardon…?”

Jung Heeyeon tilted his head, his soft voice rising slightly in confusion.

“I’m asking if you’ll wear clothes from other alphas instead of mine.”

At the blunt question, Jung Heeyeon fully turned toward him, both his hands fidgeting nervously. Though hidden by the long sleeves, the subtle movements of his fingers were noticeable. The extra fabric fluttered softly in the winter breeze.

“No…?”

“Then?”

“I’ll only wear yours, Director…”

“Why?”

Director Yeon intentionally pressed hard for an answer, a low chuckle escaping his lips as he leaned lazily against the balcony railing. The ash from his cigarette scattered into the air, glowing faintly before fading away.

“Doctor Kim Jiwon said I should.”

“So, if Doctor Kim Jiwon tells you to wear another alpha’s clothes, you will?”

“Oh…” 

Jung Heeyeon’s eyes wavered, momentarily looking down before meeting his gaze again. His lashes fluttered.

“Can I just keep wearing your clothes, Director?”

“Then give me a reason, Heeyeon.”

“Because I only like you, Director. That’s why I want to wear your clothes.”

“Hmm, you only like me?”

A smile played on Director Yeon’s lips as he idly tapped the cigarette between his fingers.

“Yes.”

“Good boy.”

Jung Heeyeon wasn’t entirely sure of the nuance behind the compliment, but since Director Yeon didn’t seem inclined to suggest wearing others’ clothes, he felt relieved.

“If other alphas ask, you have to answer the same way.”

“Yes.”

Finished with the talk, Director Yeon resumed smoking.

Jung Heeyeon, however, didn’t return to gazing at the city lights. Instead, he quietly observed the man beside him. While he had known that the director smoked, this was his first time witnessing it so closely.

The white cigarette resting between those long fingers seemed to complement the director’s cold demeanor. With every inhale, his cheeks hollowed slightly before he exhaled a stream of smoke, languidly filling the air. His sharp features seemed relaxed, almost lazy, creating a stark contrast with the vibrant cityscape behind him.

Feeling the weight of Jung Heeyeon’s bold gaze, Director Yeon smirked, his lips quirking upward.

“Heeyeon.”

“Yes?”

“Are you curious?”

Caught off guard with the question, Jung Heeyeon hesitated, his lips parting slightly. He was curious about the swirling emotion stirring in his chest, but it didn’t seem like the director was asking about that. It seemed more likely he was asking about the cigarette. After a brief moment of hesitation, Jung Heeyeon nodded. He was curious about what made the director’s face look so different when he smoked.

“Babies shouldn’t smoke.”

“I’m not a baby…”

“I know. Our Heeyeon is nineteen, right?”

Director Yeon chuckled softly, recalling their first meeting.

“I’ll show you when you’re all grown up.”

From the context, it seemed to mean that he would teach him once he became an adult after the new year. Even though Jung Heeyeon wasn’t completely naive, he still knew that things like cigarettes and alcohol were only permitted for adults. Thinking about the fewer than ten days left until that time, he quietly nodded.

“I guess I’ll be the one to teach you all your firsts, Heeyeon.”

“Pardon? Oh, yes.”

Jung Heeyeon’s innocent, expressionless face made Director Yeon laugh quietly. He briefly entertained the thought that he should first teach Jung Heeyeon how to recognize sexual harassment comments. 

Shaking off the unnecessary idea, he flicked the ash from his cigarette just as his phone buzzed. He reached for it leisurely and checked the caller. If it had been from Chief Nam, he would have ignored it outright, but it was Kim Chulwoo.

“Yeah.”

– Sir, are you still awake?

Kim Chulwoo began with his usual overly unnecessary polite greeting.

“You wouldn’t have called if I were sleeping, would you, Secretary Kim Chulwoo?”

– Ah, my apologies. It’s just that Managing Director Kang has requested a meeting with you.

“This doesn’t sound urgent enough to discuss at this hour.”

– I just spoke with Managing Director Kang…

It seemed the conversation was about to drag on.

Jung Heeyeon glanced at Director Yeon before turning his gaze away again. Wearing just pajamas and a cardigan, the cold wind crept under his skin, but he was used to such cold. After a brief thought, Jung Heeyeon crouched down in front of the transparent railing, allowing him to take in the city view more closely.

– …That’s what he said.

“I expected as much… but hearing it still pisses me off.”

Director Yeon turned his gaze instinctively to his side, and he frowned when he realized Jung Heeyeon, who was just beside him, suddenly disappeared. If the other had moved, there was no way he wouldn’t have noticed.

Just as he started to turn around to look for the disappeared omega, his eyes caught sight of the small figure crouched down at the very spot he had been standing.

“Ha.”

– Sir, is something wrong?

The light-colored hair caught his eyes first. Whether he realized his clothes were trailing on the floor or not, Jung Heeyeon was too busy slowly blinking and admiring the night view.

“No, nothing. Set the time.”

– Managing Director Kang mentioned wanting to meet him together.

“With Heeyeon?”

– Yes.

Hearing his name, Jung Heeyeon looked up slowly, the night sky looming over him as if ready to swallow his small frame.

For a moment, Director Yeon thought that everything around him didn’t suit Jung Heeyeon. The night sky swallowing the day, the darkness chasing the night, and the cold air steeping in it—they all felt mismatched with Jung Heeyeon.

It was a peculiar sensation, realizing that the world he belonged to didn’t suit this person who had stepped into his domain.

– What should I do?

“…Alright.”

Director Yeon replied after a pause, hanging up as a subtle, suppressed instinct began to awaken within him.

A possessiveness and desire for things that didn’t match him, things he couldn’t have.

His instincts told him it was dangerous.

“Heeyeon.”

Not for himself, but for Jung Heeyeon.

“Shall we head back inside?”

“Yes.”

Oblivious to the alpha’s hidden thoughts, Jung Heeyeon nodded obediently and stood up, unaware that the man’s world was a dangerous place to step into.

Director Yeon stubbed out his cigarette with a faint smile. 

The glowing embers scattered into the darkness and disappeared.

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