OAO | Chapter 5

Jaeyoon turned his head slightly to the side and brushed his lips fleetingly against Kangyoon’s cheek before pulling away. This much should be fine.

“I’ll let the lips slide. For now.”

As Jaeyoon met Kangyoon’s eyes and offered a soft smile, the tension seemed to melt from Kangyoon’s previously stiff expression.

“So tame.”

Kangyoon’s nonchalant response brought Jaeyoon a small sense of relief as he turned to leave. But then, Kangyoon suddenly grabbed his arm and yanked him back. The unexpected pull spun Jaeyoon around toward him.

“Yoon Jaeyoon.”

By the time Jaeyoon registered the low voice, Kangyoon’s other hand was already cupping his face, lifting it so their eyes met. Trapped under that gaze from barely a handspan away, Jaeyoon couldn’t even blink.

“Is that all you’ve got?”

Kangyoon’s quiet question carried an almost teasing tone as he began to lean in, the distance between them shrinking further. The proximity was overwhelming, making Jaeyoon’s mind go blank. Kangyoon tilted his head slightly as he drew closer, and just as Jaeyoon thought their lips might meet, he squeezed his eyes shut.

“I’ll let the lips slide,” Kangyoon said, repeating the very words Jaeyoon had used earlier.

The moment snapped Jaeyoon back to reality, and he opened his eyes to see Kangyoon smirking at him. Kangyoon let go of him, ruffling Jaeyoon’s hair as he stepped back.

“You must be tired. Go wash up and rest. I have some unfinished work to wrap up.”

As if nothing had happened, Kangyoon turned and disappeared into his workspace. Only after the door closed behind him did Jaeyoon sink to the floor, crouching as he clutched his head with one hand.

“Cut me some slack, will you?”

The words slipped out in a quiet mumble. Pressing his other hand against his chest to calm his wildly beating heart, Jaeyoon found no relief.

🎥🎤

Jaeyoon woke up in the middle of the night, his throat dry and scratchy. Groaning at the inconvenience, he forced himself upright. If he didn’t drink water now, he knew he’d regret it in the morning when his voice would be hoarse. Even though he didn’t sing much these days, nearly a decade of habits were hard to shake.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he glanced at the empty space beside him. There wasn’t even a trace of Kangyoon having laid there.

What time is it?

Jaeyoon reached for his phone on the nightstand and checked the screen: past 4 a.m. This is too much.

After drinking a glass of water in the kitchen, Jaeyoon headed to Kangyoon’s workspace. A sliver of white light peeked through the doorframe, confirming that Kangyoon was still inside.

He knocked softly. “I’m coming in, okay?”

When no response came, Jaeyoon turned the doorknob. Fortunately, it wasn’t locked.

“Ha!”

A quiet exclamation escaped him. Kangyoon was slumped in his chair, arms crossed, eyes closed. He wasn’t lost in thought—he was asleep.

“Seriously? You’re sleeping?”

Jaeyoon approached cautiously, even leaning close to Kangyoon’s face, but there was no reaction.

Jaeyoon let out a small hum, staring at Kangyoon’s lips. Maybe I should’ve just gone for it earlier. A hint of regret flickered through him. He had hesitated, afraid of being pushed away, but if he’d known Kangyoon would stop him only to repeat the same action, he might have done it anyway.

He traced a finger lightly across Kangyoon’s lips. The thought of waking him made Jaeyoon hesitate, but Kangyoon didn’t stir. Jaeyoon touched his own lips with the same finger and chuckled softly.

“I don’t go around pouncing on sleeping people,” he murmured.

He grabbed a blanket from the corner of the room and draped it over Kangyoon. He could’ve woken him to send him to bed, but for some reason, it felt like a shame to disturb him.

If Kangyoon was this exhausted, he didn’t need to humor Jaeyoon’s whims earlier.

Jaeyoon felt a mix of guilt, gratitude, and a tiny bit of frustration. Kangyoon’s gestures of care only deepened Jaeyoon’s feelings, making it impossible to let go.

“Kangyoon’s way too soft when it comes to you. You know that, right?”

I know. Too well. That was why Jaeyoon kept pushing his limits, hoping that maybe—just maybe—Kangyoon’s leniency might turn into something more.

“Goodnight,” Jaeyoon whispered, pressing a soft kiss to Kangyoon’s forehead before leaving the room. It’s just a kiss on the forehead—family members do that all the time.

As Jaeyoon shut the door behind him, Kangyoon opened his eyes. He had woken up when Jaeyoon entered but hadn’t moved out of exhaustion.

Touching his forehead where Jaeyoon had kissed him, Kangyoon sighed.

“‘I don’t pounce on sleeping people,’ huh?”

Looking at the blanket Jaeyoon had placed over him, he let out another long sigh.

“I really don’t get him.”

Was he indulging Jaeyoon’s antics too easily? Kangyoon frowned at the thought. When Jaeyoon had first asked him to be his practice partner for dating, Kangyoon had agreed, if only to keep him out of real trouble.

“Maybe I really am too soft.”

Kangyoon didn’t think he was a pushover by any means. Yet, when it came to Jaeyoon, he found himself stepping back more often than not.

It was because Jaeyoon, for all his boldness, never truly crossed a line. He always seemed to understand Kangyoon’s boundaries. Even today, he’d waited for Kangyoon to finish his work before proposing an impromptu date.

From the very beginning, Jaeyoon had been like that. Always smiling, always blending in, yet with an invisible wall that kept others at a distance. It had always intrigued Kangyoon.

“It’s pity, isn’t it?”

He chuckled to himself, finding his own words ridiculous. It wasn’t in his nature to pity anyone. And yet, Yoon Jaeyoon lingered on his mind. That serene smile of his always seemed like a mask, hiding something underneath—that’s why.

And now, something else gnawed at him.

A sweet scent.

When Jaeyoon approached him earlier and pressed a kiss to his forehead, that scent had been there again. Jaeyoon had said he was heading to bed after a shower, so it couldn’t possibly be perfume. Did the body wash at home smell like that? Unless Jaeyoon had his own stash, probably not.

Why…

A word suddenly crossed his mind, and his brow furrowed as he shook his head. Ridiculous. The idea of omega pheromones coming from Yoon Jaeyoon? Jaeyoon was a beta. At least, as far as Kangyoon knew.

🎥🎤

The first meeting with the film production company was held. Since the rest of the cast hadn’t been finalized, only the two lead actors were present.

“You’re both familiar with each other, right? This is Choi Sunghyun, playing the alpha role in this film. In the context of same-sex pairings, this would be the ‘top.’ Do you understand what that means?”

The producer explained, raising an eyebrow. He didn’t seem to expect the men to be familiar with terms like “top” or “bottom.”

“Yes, I know. My role is the ‘bottom.’”

Jaeyoon answered with a cheerful smile, putting the producer at ease.

“Oh, really? That’s good to hear.”

Jaeyoon added, “I’m somewhat familiar with it thanks to fanfiction.”

The producer made a sound of understanding and nodded.

“Choi Sunghyun, do you understand your role?”

The producer cautiously posed the question again. Given the subject matter, he seemed especially sensitive.

“I’ve read the original novel. It was intriguing. The dynamic between the alpha and omega made it feel more intense than a typical romance.”

Sunghyun replied casually, his smile relaxed.

“Are you an alpha yourself, Mr. Choi? Have you ever entered a rut because of an omega? Or, if not a full rut, experienced an overwhelming sense of possessiveness?”

Sunghyun laughed awkwardly at the question.

“Unfortunately, not yet. I’ve heard alphas are more prone to obsession and possessiveness than other genders, but I suppose I haven’t met someone who brings that out in me yet.”

The producer nodded at his answer before turning to Jaeyoon.

“I heard you’re a beta, Yoon Jaeyoon. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Honestly, we debated a lot during the casting process. We wondered if we should cast an omega actor for your role instead or if that might lead to complications on set since Mr. Choi is an alpha.”

Both actors nodded at the producer’s candid admission.

“If there were issues on set, I’d take responsibility for my co-star.”

Sunghyun replied with a soft smile. He even joked lightly, suggesting that if he did enter a rut during filming, it would mean they were destined for each other.

It was hard to tell whether he genuinely believed in the concept of “destiny” or if he was merely trying to make a good impression. One thing Jaeyoon had learned over a decade in the industry was that a pleasant demeanor didn’t always equate to sincerity. Plenty of actors who smiled brightly to his face later complained about their roles or criticized the writer and director.

“I was curious who’d be cast as my partner since I’ve never worked opposite a male lead before. I’m glad it’s Yoon Jaeyoon—I think I can bring myself to fully immerse in the role.”

Sunghyun’s gentle tone eased the slightly tense atmosphere. Jaeyoon glanced at him and, catching Sunghyun’s gaze, was met with a kind smile. His first impression wasn’t bad. Although they’d never acted together before, Jaeyoon knew plenty about him.

A bona fide rising star. Known for his strong image and solid acting chops, Sunghyun was rumored to be the top pick for casting in recent projects. Working with an actor of his caliber was a privilege for Jaeyoon, though he couldn’t help but marvel at Sunghyun’s decision to star in a same-sex romance film, especially one centered around alphas and omegas.

Maybe the production company had offered an enormous paycheck. Money, after all, talked.

“Thank you both for accepting the roles. Honestly, you were our top choices, but we were prepared for the possibility of rejection.”

The producer confessed.

“If you have any reservations, please speak up now. As you may know from the original work, the content can be quite explicit. While it’s acting, there are limits to what one can force themselves to do.”

Although spoken gently, the producer’s words carried an implicit warning: back out now if you’re not confident.

“I’m fine with it. I’ve been familiar with the idea of same-sex pairings since my idol group days, thanks to fanfiction.”

Jaeyoon responded with a smile, and the producer nodded. The producer seemed more concerned about the same-sex aspect of the role, but what weighed heavier on Jaeyoon’s mind was the alpha and omega dynamic. As unlikely as it was, if he went into heat during a bed scene, it could lead to utter chaos.

“I don’t mind either. While I’ve never filmed anything this explicit, I see it as a great opportunity to expand my acting range.”

Sunghyun added with a composed tone, sounding like he was reciting a textbook answer. His gentle demeanor was so pronounced that Jaeyoon couldn’t help but wonder if he could convincingly portray the obsessive, beastly character from the original novel.

“We’ve sent the contracts to your respective agencies. Please review them and reach out with any revisions or additional requests. Today’s meeting was mainly to confirm that both of you personally agreed to take on these roles. If your agencies pushed you into it, that could lead to issues during production.”

The producer’s concerns were understandable. Given the high profile of the production company and director, even Jaeyoon’s manager had subtly hinted that it would be wise to accept, though he assured him it wasn’t mandatory. Sunghyun’s agency likely had similar discussions—or maybe not, given his star power.

As Jaeyoon’s thoughts wandered, his eyes met Sunghyun’s. He returned a polite smile, effortlessly diffusing any awkwardness.

If anyone should be saying, I’m glad you’re my partner, it was Jaeyoon.

Truthfully, he’d been nervous. His co-star was an alpha, and the role involved a same-sex romance. Most alphas and omegas, even within the same gender, tended to pair with the opposite sex. Male omegas were rare to begin with.

Although an omega, he wasn’t particularly “omega-like.” Could he pull off an intense bed scene with an alpha male? Would it have been easier if he were a perfect omega? While his current feelings were for Kangyoon, he wasn’t certain whether he preferred men over women.

It wasn’t that Kangyoon attracted him because he was an alpha. It had nothing to do with him being an omega. It was simply because it was Kangyoon—Lee Kangyoon—that he’d found himself already liking him before he realized it.

He’d accepted the script for a film depicting a love story between two alpha men, but he worried about feeling uncomfortable with his co-actor. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. There wasn’t any fluttering excitement, but at least no aversion either. Perhaps it was because the other person was Choi Sunghyun.

“Want to grab a meal together? Oh, unless you have plans later?”

Choi Sunghyun asked as they exited a brief meeting with the producer.

“I don’t have any plans, but my manager is waiting for me.”

The response felt a bit awkward. After all, Choi Sunghyun’s manager would also likely be waiting for him.

“It’s fine if your manager comes along. Or… are you being cautious around me?”

Choi Sunghyun chuckled as he asked, clearly just suggesting a meal to build rapport as co-stars.

“Is there a reason to be cautious?”

“Maybe if we saw each other as potential romantic partners?”

Actors often immersed themselves in their roles during filming, even perceiving their co-stars as genuine romantic interests for the sake of emotional depth. So, there was no need to overanalyze his comment.

Jaeyoon pulled out his phone and called his manager. Upon explaining that he planned to have a meal with Choi Sunghyun, the manager readily agreed and said he’d head back to the agency first.

“He says we should go alone. Looks like I’m not even seen as someone to be cautious of,” Jaeyoon said with a laugh, turning back to Choi Sunghyun after ending the call. If his co-star had been a female actress, the manager would have insisted on tagging along to avoid any potential scandals. But since they were both men, the manager wasn’t concerned at all.

It was the same reasoning that allowed him to stay over at Kangyoon’s place without any objections. If his manager ever found out about his feelings, though, he’d probably forbid him from stepping foot in Kangyoon’s house again.

“Since Jaeyooni is a beta and we’re both guys, it’s nice that we don’t have to worry about these things,” Choi Sunghyun said cheerfully. Building camaraderie before filming was crucial, but interactions between men and women often required extra caution.

His easygoing smile was pleasant to see. Though Jaeyoon didn’t feel the kind of excitement he experienced around Kangyoon, this level of friendliness made working together seem promising.

🎥🎤

To Jaeyoon’s surprise, Choi Sunghyun suggested they eat sundaegukbap. Based on his appearance and attire, Jaeyoon had expected a quiet restaurant.

“Why that face? Don’t tell me you can’t eat this?”

His tone already implied, “Surely not.” Jaeyoon shook his head and picked up his spoon.

“No, I like it. My fans would never imagine it, though.”

At that, Choi Sunghyun burst into laughter, nodding as if he completely understood.

“Looking at your face, it’s true. You don’t seem like someone who’d eat something so rustic. You should be standing there holding a bouquet or something.”

“And you should be standing by a window, sipping coffee like in your commercials,” Jaeyoon retorted, making Choi Sunghyun laugh again.

“I don’t dislike coffee, but I actually prefer fermented bean paste stew,” he admitted humbly. People’s appearances really didn’t reveal much about them. Their conversation remained casual and down-to-earth, and Sunghyun wasn’t pretentious in the slightest.

As their meal wrapped up, they started addressing each other more casually, even dropping formalities.

“You’ve read the original work, right?”

When Jaeyoon nodded, Choi Sunghyun asked, “What did you think?”

“I enjoyed it. The process of their emotions spiraling out of control was fascinating.”

“It’s incredible to imagine wanting someone so much that you’d go crazy for them. I wonder if I’ll ever experience that kind of love in real life.”

Sunghyun’s tone changed as they discussed the film. His deep consideration of his character’s psyche was evident.

The role Sunghyun was taking on involved an alpha consumed by obsession after encountering an omega who felt like his destined partner. Even though the omega already had a lover, the alpha systematically severed all of his connections, trapping him entirely under his control. A classic example of an obsessive lover.

Having come across similar scenarios in fanfiction, Jaeyoon wasn’t particularly surprised. But it seemed like a shock to Sunghyun.

“I was also taken aback by how explicit it gets…”

Trailing off, Sunghyun glanced at Jaeyoon before teasing with a sly smile.

“You sure you’ll be okay?”

Jaeyoon understood what he was implying but responded calmly.

“It’s just acting. We’re not actually doing it.”

Although there would be bed scenes, they were just simulations. Since the movie was bound for theaters, explicit content would be obscured. Shooting such scenes might feel awkward, but female actors faced the same situations. It wasn’t uncommon in the industry.

“Sure, but you’ll have to kiss for real, right?”

Caught off guard, Jaeyoon frowned slightly without meaning to. Sunghyun chuckled, noticing his expression.

“See? You’re worried about that, aren’t you? Even straight people find kiss scenes nerve-wracking. But at least, as a beta, you or I won’t trigger heat or rut during the shoot.”

Jaeyoon couldn’t bring himself to nod. He had never gone into heat in front of others before. Even recently, despite spending so much time with Kangyoon—a man he liked—nothing had happened. He was confident he could keep his omega identity hidden throughout the filming process.

“That’s true, but the problem is…”

When Jaeyoon trailed off, Sunghyun tilted his head, confused about what he was hesitating to say.

Ridiculously enough, he’d never kissed anyone before. He just couldn’t bring himself to say it. He had been street-cast in high school. While others were dating and experiencing everything early, even in middle or high school, his complicated family circumstances had made romance unthinkable for him. On top of that, his secondary gender manifestation had been delayed.

After debuting with On&On, it was even less of an option. For several years, he’d been too busy with activities, and his agency had a strict no-dating policy. By the time the other members began sneaking around to date in secret, he had already fallen for Kangyoon. The idea of being with anyone else hadn’t even crossed his mind.

This is definitely a problem. He was supposed to shoot a romance filled with intense emotions, kisses, and even sex, yet he had never even kissed anyone before. What would Choi Sunghyun think if he found out? Not wanting to unsettle his co-star unnecessarily, he laughed it off as if it were nothing.

Choi Sunghyun hummed in suspicion, his gaze questioning, but Jaeyoon endured it with a sweet, unwavering smile. After all, Jaeyoon was an actor too. He was confident he could keep up appearances.

🎥🎤

He regretted his cocky remark about “letting his lips go easy on them.” The thought of having his first kiss in a movie with someone he barely knew left him feeling unsettled. His first kiss. That was the issue. Back when people said first kisses were special, he had dismissed it. What was the big deal? It didn’t matter who it was with; attaching significance to whether it was a “first” seemed ridiculous.

But now, faced with the reality of it, he hesitated. As an actor, he knew he’d inevitably end up performing in romance films or dramas, where kissing—or even more intimate scenes—with a co-star could be required. Until now, his roles had been minor, so he’d never had to follow a romantic storyline.

This was his first lead role. He wanted to do well. He didn’t want to just mimic romance awkwardly. But the idea of kissing someone other than Kangyoon… If his co-star were a woman, would he feel more at ease? He wasn’t sure.

He also worried whether pretending to kiss or have sex might trigger his omega instincts. That thought unsettled him even more.

“Haa.”

A deep sigh escaped him without realizing it. If he’d known he’d struggle this much, he would’ve just had his first kiss that day at the amusement park.

No, there was still time. Casting for the other roles had only just wrapped up, and there was a buffer before actual filming began. He could figure this out in the meantime.

But how? How could he arrange to kiss Kangyoon?

To someone like him, with no dating experience, the idea of creating a situation and atmosphere conducive to a kiss felt impossibly daunting.

Should he just throw caution to the wind and kiss him outright? But what if Kangyoon pushed him away? He’d probably feel hurt if he was rejected.

A whirlwind of thoughts rose and fell in his mind, chaotic and unending. The ridiculousness of his predicament even made him laugh to himself.

“Did you eat something weird?”

Kangyoon, who had apparently left his studio at some point, sat on the sofa and looked at Jaeyoon, who was hunched over in thought. Jaeyoon sat with his knees drawn up, peering up at him.

“Hyuuung.”

The way he stretched the word made Kangyoon flinch, as if sensing impending trouble.

“So, uh…”

He started but couldn’t finish. What was he supposed to say? How could he get Kangyoon to kiss him? He never imagined he’d agonize over such a thing.

“Never mind. It’s nothing.”

In truth, he wanted to ask Kangyoon if he’d ever kissed anyone before. What it felt like. But he stopped himself, knowing he’d feel upset no matter what the answer was.

“I met my co-star for the movie today. You know Choi Sunghyun, right? That actor.”

“Oh, yeah.”

It seemed Sunghyun was quite famous. Even Kangyoon, who wasn’t into dramas or films, recognized the name right away.

“He’s an alpha, by the way.”

It was common knowledge for anyone interested in celebrities, but Kangyoon, who wasn’t particularly interested in others, seemed to be hearing it for the first time. His eyes flicked to Jaeyoon.

“An alpha playing an alpha role—it should make things easier, I guess.”

Muttering to himself, Jaeyoon didn’t notice Kangyoon now openly staring at him.

“I wonder what it’s like to be overwhelmed by pheromones.”

“Don’t waste your curiosity on pointless things. For both alphas and omegas, getting caught up in pheromones isn’t exactly a pleasant experience.”

As an alpha, Kangyoon’s words probably weren’t wrong.

“Hyung, have you ever… been overwhelmed by pheromones?”

He asked without much thought, but Kangyoon’s silence was answer enough. If he wasn’t denying it, then it must have happened.

“Wait… did you… sleep with someone?”

Just imagining Kangyoon with another person—an omega—felt like a heavy stone pressing on his chest.

“No. Nothing happened.”

The relief hit him all at once, and he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Thank goodness. It sounded like Kangyoon had been affected by an omega in heat but that nothing had come of it. If anything had, Jaeyoon was sure he would’ve known.

As an omega himself, Jaeyoon had never thought about seducing Kangyoon with his pheromones. His pheromone levels were naturally much lower than average anyway. Besides, he didn’t want Kangyoon to care about him because he was an omega. He wanted to be loved as Yoon Jaeyoon by Lee Kangyoon. Was that asking for too much?

But it was hard. How could he make someone who’d never seen him as more than a colleague think of him romantically?

“What’s wrong with you? You’re spacing out. Are you sick?”

Lost in his own thoughts, Jaeyoon didn’t notice Kangyoon approach until he felt the older man place a hand on his forehead.

“No, it’s nothing.”

He gently pushed Kangyoon’s hand away and looked up, only to catch sight of his lips. They weren’t glossy like a woman’s, nor flushed red from heat. They were simply a natural, soft coral hue.

What would it feel like to touch those lips?

Embarrassed by his wandering thoughts, Jaeyoon cleared his throat and quickly looked away.

First things first: he had to figure out how to kiss Kangyoon. Ideally, before filming began.

🎥🎤

Shut away in the company practice room, Jaeyoon frowned at the screen of his tablet. His manager, who’d returned with coffee, chuckled at the sight and set a paper cup down in front of him.

“What’s got you so focused?”

He was already guessing as much. Whenever a new drama or movie was decided, Jaeyoon would always look up similar roles in other works, studying how to capture emotions and preparing for his role.

Curious about what kind of videos he was watching, the manager glanced at the tablet screen—only to find it displaying an internet browser instead.

“What are you looking up?”

“When people feel like kissing.”

The unexpected and quirky question made the manager tilt his head in confusion.

“What’s with the sudden interest in kissing?”

“Just curious. Wondering when people feel like kissing.”

“And why are you curious about that?”

“Just because.”

Jaeyoon showed no intention of giving a straight answer, repeating “just because.”

“When do you feel like kissing, Hyung?”

Still glued to the tablet, Jaeyoon posed the question to the manager.

“Hmm. Is there a specific time for that? When you’re with someone you like, you just want to kiss them. Or touch them.”

“I’m asking when you feel like kissing someone you don’t like.”

“Isn’t the premise flawed to begin with? You’re not supposed to feel like kissing someone you don’t like.”

Jaeyoon frowned, letting out a frustrated groan. “You have a point.” Sighing softly, he put down the tablet.

“But, you know, in movies, there are times when people who’ve only just met get swept up in the moment and kiss, right?”

The manager nodded in agreement. It wasn’t uncommon in films for characters to develop feelings for someone they hadn’t seen romantically before, especially after sharing an intense experience—like the “suspension bridge effect.”

“For an omega and an alpha, it’s probably even easier. They say you can just lock eyes with someone and instantly know they’re your destined mate.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Jaeyoon muttered with a sulky tone, lifting a coffee cup from the table.

“You’re about to star in a movie about that so-called ridiculous idea.”

The manager chuckled, and Jaeyoon swallowed a groan. Love at first sight was one thing, but the certainty that someone belonged to you? That was absurd. Meanwhile, he was struggling under the weight of his own one-sided feelings.

“Love is hard.”

The confession slipped out, prompting the manager, watching him, to laugh as if he found it endearing.

“When the time comes, things usually work out. It’s just harder for you because you don’t have experience yet.”

“Can’t imagine how I’ll shoot this movie. My manager’s always telling me not to date, yet throws me a romantic film to act in.”

When Jaeyoon added a trace of blame, the manager awkwardly chuckled and turned away.

“But do you even need to think about timing for wanting to kiss? Your character isn’t even the one leading.”

He circled back to the film. Based on the storyline, he wasn’t wrong. Jaeyoon’s character wasn’t leading; instead, the alpha swept him up and turned his life upside down.

“Movies are movies, reality is reality. It’s just… I got curious.”

Jaeyoon gave a vague answer, and the manager nodded without much thought. At twenty-eight, Jaeyoon was at the age where pondering relationships wasn’t unusual.

Wait. Did Jaeyoon need to worry about this in real life?

Sometimes he forgot Jaeyoon was an omega because he seemed so much like a beta. If Jaeyoon were to date, he’d probably be led rather than lead—though maybe that was a stereotype. Jaeyoon was so beta-like that his partner could even be a woman.

A woman? Now wouldn’t that cause a PR disaster at this moment.

The manager briefly considered giving him a warning but decided against it. Watching Jaeyoon furrow his brows and dive back into his tablet, he figured the best move was to let him work through whatever was on his mind.

🎥🎤

Jaeyoon sat at the dining table, staring at a bottle of wine with a determined expression. A quick glance at the clock confirmed it was almost time for Kangyoon to return home.

The wine wasn’t for dinner. It had one purpose.

A kiss with Lee Kangyoon.

He’d spent the entire day wracking his brain, scouring the internet, trying to figure out how to make it happen. The search term “moments when you feel like kissing” had left him feeling both amused and self-conscious, but to his surprise, there were plenty of related posts. Apparently, many people had the same dilemma.

Of the many responses, one recurring theme stood out:
When drinking together and seeing their guard down.

Leaning on alcohol didn’t feel great, but it seemed like the best option available. Some posts even mentioned how drinking with someone they only saw as a friend had made that person suddenly seem adorable, leading to a desire for a kiss. Alcohol could create feelings that weren’t there before.

“Feelings that weren’t there before.”

He laughed at the self-deprecating thought. By choosing this method, he was admitting that Kangyoon didn’t see him romantically. He’d concluded that unless something spontaneous happened, a kiss was impossible.

Was this really necessary? Yes. He figured he had nothing to lose. If it worked and sparked something in Kangyoon, it would be a success. If not, they could just share a drink, no harm done.

Taking a deep breath, he braced himself. Just then, he heard the sound of the front door unlocking.

“I’m home.”

Kangyoon entered, his voice carrying the usual casual tone.

“Yoon Jaeyoon?”

Assuming Jaeyoon would be home, he called out when he didn’t immediately see him.

“Over here.”

Jaeyoon answered a bit loudly, and Kangyoon soon appeared in the kitchen.