DOTH Volume 2 Chapter 7.8

Emerging from the metal heap, Director Yeon slowly scanned the surroundings. Jung Heeyeon was nowhere in sight. He glanced at one of the team leaders guarding the container, silently cueing to know where he’d gone, and the team leader spoke up.

“Team 1 Leader Shim Soocheon said they were stepping over there for a bit.”

Over there? Director Yeon turned his head in the direction the team leader had pointed, spotting an old truck parked far off. It almost seemed like a rough popping sound was coming from somewhere. It couldn’t have been more than a few minutes—surely nothing significant had happened. Just as he fully turned to head over there himself, Jung Heeyeon’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Director.”

Seeing that face, Director Yeon let out a small laugh.

“Team Leader Shim bought it for me.”

Director Yeon’s gaze flicked once to the long plastic bag in Jung Heeyeon’s hand, then to the snack held in his pale hand. It was a giant puffed rice snack, bigger than Jung Heeyeon’s face.

Judging by the slightly dented top, he must’ve taken a few bites of the snack on the way. Approaching closer, Jung Heeyeon lifted the plastic bag in his left hand. Inside the transparent plastic, layers of puffed rice snacks were stacked.

“Apparently this snack is called ppeongtwigi.”

Director Yeon’s eyes remained fixed on the half-eaten rice snack in Jung Heeyeon’s right hand. As if to prove that the small mouth had taken bites, several tiny teeth marks dotted the snack.

“There was this machine, and I watched it too. They put rice in, and it turned into this. It’s interesting. The ahjussi selling it said it’s called ppeongtwigi because it makes a ‘ppeong’ sound every time the machine runs.”

The omega, who’d bitten into the rice snack as big as his face, chattered on with his plump lips moving busily. Judging by how long he went on, the experience he had moments ago must’ve left quite an impression. Director Yeon’s lazy gaze shifted to Shim Soocheon, who was loitering behind Jung Heeyeon, pretending to be distracted.

Well aware that Director Yeon despised street food, Shim Soocheon feigned ignorance and slinked away toward the team members as if escaping.

“Does it taste good?”

“Yeah. Truthfully, it doesn’t have much flavor, but it’s still good.”

For Jung Heeyeon, it was probably blander than the snacks he usually ate.

“Eat a lot, then.”

“Would you like to try some, Director?”

Seeing him stare at the rice snack in his hand, Jung Heeyeon seemed to misunderstand it as interest. Though even without the misunderstanding, he’d probably have offered to share anyway. Director Yeon watched him rustle the plastic bag to open it, then teased the omega in a slow, drawn-out tone.

“But only little babies eat rice snacks.”

“…Little babies?”

Jung Heeyeon’s hand, reaching for a new piece of the snack, froze. Hearing “little babies” instead of just “baby” made him wonder if Director Yeon wasn’t only teasing him but might actually mean it.

“It’s a rice snack. The reason it doesn’t have much taste is because it’s something they feed to very young babies.”

“It’s not like that… Team Leader Shim also ate one, though?”

As if he’d been listening closely, the moment the words left Jung Heeyeon’s mouth, Director Yeon could sense Shim Soocheon scurrying off into the distance. Director Yeon subtly furrowed his brows.

“Heeyeon, do you like Team Leader Shim more than this director?”

“Pardon? No, I like you more, Director…”

“Then why did you give it to Team Leader Shim first? You’re making me sad.”

Feeling the exaggeratedly furrowed brows convey genuine disappointment, Jung Heeyeon blinked twice and hesitated before speaking.

“Team Leader Shim bought them and was right there, so I asked him first… But I like you the most, Director. Have I made you upset?”

“Yeah, you made me upset.”

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

What should he do now? Unaware that Director Yeon was playfully exaggerating, Jung Heeyeon fidgeted anxiously. Come to think of it, he’d probably feel upset and jealous too if Director Yeon took care of someone else first.

“Should I give you a peck?”

Jung Heeyeon asked with a calm expression. He’d said it because he thought a peck might cheer Director Yeon up when he was feeling upset or sad. At the sudden question, the man tilted his head.

“Heeyeon, do you want a peck right now?”

“I always want one every time, though?”

The affectionate crinkle of Director Yeon’s eyes sharpened in an instant. He realized that Jung Heeyeon’s innocent remark had shifted the person who had control of the situation.

He was certain that the composure and patience he had always maintained just crumbled in a flash, regardless of his will—triggered by something utterly trivial, in a completely unexpected moment.

The man’s languid hand twitched sharply.

“Hmmm, is that so?”

“Yeah. Did your feelings become better?”

Relieved by Director Yeon’s usual drawn-out tone, Jung Heeyeon felt a bit more at ease. It seemed his upset feelings had been lifted up.

“I might feel better if you give me some of that snack.”

“But didn’t you say earlier it’s for little babies?”

“I was just kidding. It’s fine to eat the snack.”

As Jung Heeyeon reached into the plastic bag for a fresh ppeongtwigi, Director Yeon gently grabbed his wrist. The man’s fingers traced slowly up the thin tendons of his wrist, reaching the center of his palm. Jung Heeyeon flinched involuntarily, causing the white snack in his hand to quiver along with it.

“Oh, that was the one I was eating…”

Fixing his gaze on Jung Heeyeon’s gentle face, Director Yeon took a bite of the rice snack—right where Jung Heeyeon had nibbled the top. There was no hesitation as he chewed and swallowed the slightly dampened snack, softened by saliva. The white rice snack melted away the moment it touched his tongue.

“It’s fine since it’s the one my baby was eating.”

A dry cough from Kim Chulwoo echoed faintly from behind, but Director Yeon ignored it completely.

“Eat the rest yourself, Heeyeon.”

“But I want to share… Is it okay for me to share the rest?”

“You want to share? Then let’s share now, but not the one you’re eating.”

Jung Heeyeon nodded reflexively, taking a bite of the rice snack in his hand. A small new set of teeth marks appeared over the spot where the man had just bitten. Realizing this, Jung Heeyeon’s ears inexplicably flushed.

He thought it would be fine since he shared other things too before. Jung Heeyeon chewed the remaining rice snack, his lips moving softly. It still lacked any distinct flavor, but oddly, a faint sweetness lingered on his tongue.

–

Instead of heading straight to Seoul, the two parked near the sea—purely for Jung Heeyeon’s sake.

“Do you want to get closer and watch the sea?”

“Will it be fine if I get closer?”

“Come here.”

When Director Yeon extended his hand, Jung Heeyeon took it naturally and stepped toward the shore. The moment his feet touched the sand, his body wobbled as he was about to fall. As if anticipating the stumble, the alpha behind him swiftly caught his waist.

“It feels weird to step on.”

“Hmmm, it’s weird?”

“Yes, but it feels soft.”

Though it was a sunny day, the wind blowing off the sea was rather sharp. His light brown hair whipped wildly in the rough breeze.

“It looks even prettier up close.”

“Want to get even closer?”

“The waves might get my shoes wet…”

“I’ll carry you.”

Despite the tender offer, Jung Heeyeon shook his head.

“I like just looking from here too.”

Seeing how genuinely pleased Jung Heeyeon looked as he gazed at the vast sea, Director Yeon fell silent.

“…”

The midday sunlight scattered gently over Jung Heeyeon’s entire body, as did the shimmering waves dancing across the sea. The man leisurely took in the omega nestled in his arms.

It was a scene so radiant it stirred a desire to devour it. At the man’s core, after all, lay greed.

–

By the time they drove from Busan to Seoul and reached home, the sun had already set. Stepping out of the car, Jung Heeyeon wore a dazed expression, not fully awake. Just like the first day they met, it seemed long car rides made him sleepy.

“Director.”

“Yeah, Heeyeon.”

Worried he might collapse forward, Director Yeon scooped up his light frame with ease. As they rode the elevator, no trace of strain showed on the man’s face.

“The sea was beautiful.”

“Hmmm, was it?”

“Yeah. The sound of the waves was nice too.”

A small breath settled right at his ear. The body in his arms shifted slightly. Thinking he’d need to feed the omega dinner before putting him to bed, Director Yeon spoke again.

“Was it prettier than the one you saw last time?”

“Hmm…”

While the omega in his arms pondered seriously, the elevator dinged to signal their arrival, and the doors slid open.

Director Yeon stepped out as usual. At that exact moment, out of nowhere, the man realized something. The omega pheromones filling the house had become completely familiar to him without him even noticing. It was an utterly foreign sensation.

“The sea I saw last time was prettier, I think.”

“Why?”

“Maybe because it was the day I first met you, Director. It was sparkling even though it was at night, and that made it beautiful.”

At the thoughtful, orderly reply, the man chuckled softly and took a step forward.

“If I had seen it with someone else, I don’t think it would’ve been as beautiful.”

“Hmmm, is that so?”

“Yes. Maybe it’s because you’re beautiful, Director.”

Jung Heeyeon, now fully awake, leaned back slightly and looked straight at Director Yeon as he spoke. A faint smile spread lightly across his otherwise expressionless face.

“Why do you keep calling me beautiful?”

Director Yeon placed his hand on the keypad and asked casually, without much intent.

“To my eyes, you’re the most beautiful, Director.”

With the sound of the door lock disengaging, the door to the house swung open.

“They say when you like someone, that person looks the most beautiful to you.”

‘When you like someone, that person looks the most beautiful to you’, Jung Heeyeon whispered what was essentially a clichéd confession.

Their eyes met. Perhaps realizing belatedly that his own words were tantamount to a confession, his clear face broke into an even brighter smile than before. It was a rare, radiant expression.

At that same moment, Yeon Woobeom felt the self-imposed restraint he had maintained snap.

The man’s hand reached for the ankle dangling in the air. His fingers, which had been slowly caressing the slender ankle, soon slid to the delicate tendon of the heel. Long fingers moved with serpent-like finesse, slipping inside the sneaker and burrowing deeper. His gaze never wavered from the omega who’d just murmured those dangerous words.

“…”

Jung Heeyeon flinched involuntarily at the slow touch, his leg twitching. Director Yeon was still pretty, but the fierce expression on his face felt somehow unfamiliar.

With a thud, the sneaker tumbled onto the marble floor. After removing Jung Heeyeon’s shoe, the man kicked off his own dress shoes and slowly stepped forward. Normally, he would’ve headed to the dressing room first, but this time, he made his way to the bedroom instead.

“Heeyeon, do you want to sleep with me?”

Director Yeon asked as they entered the bedroom.

“Pardon? But Director, I slept with you today too?”

Jung Heeyeon fidgeted with the hands that had been wrapped around the man’s neck. For some unknown reason, his fingertips stiffened with tension.

“Not that.”

Holding the small frame effortlessly with one arm, the man extended his other hand to brush along the pale nape. Long, rough fingers slid beneath the collar like sticky tar.

Yeon Woobeom let out a low chuckle and asked.

“Do you want to have sex with this director?”

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I’ll be taking a short break before moving on to the next volume! See you guys again very soon!

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