TL | Chapter 22 | Intentional Neglect

“Are you serious?” Seowon looked at him with a face that suggested he’d just heard something he couldn’t quite believe. Iden tilted his head, wondering if what he said was really that strange.

“Is it really that odd?”

Seowon groaned in response, his face contorting. Just by his expression, Iden could tell why he was reacting this way. Seowon wasn’t necessarily opposed to Iden doing something he usually didn’t do—he was just surprised that Luciano’s heir was the one suggesting it.

“Someone who’s never even cooked before is suggesting we go grocery shopping together?”

“It’s not that I can’t do it, just that I haven’t had the chance.”

“Maybe you didn’t have the drive, not the opportunity.”

At Seowon’s sharp reply, Iden only chuckled. Either way, it was true that he’d never had to do it before. The former “Seowon” had known him as Luciano’s heir from the start and accepted that without question. Cooking for him to win him over had never been necessary.

But this Seowon was different. This Seowon had been used to “Iden” cooking for him. If his version of “Iden” could do it, then he figured he could learn too. After looking up a few recipes online, Iden thought it seemed perfectly doable. Awkward, maybe, since it wasn’t his usual thing, but not impossible.

“So, you’re not coming?”

Going to the market together shouldn’t be that big a deal, but Seowon’s reaction hinted at how he currently saw him.

“If it’s too much of a hassle, you can stay home. I can go alone.”

Though he thought it would be nice to go together like a date, he wasn’t going to drag him along. However, Seowon immediately looked serious at the thought of him going alone.

“I’ll go with you.”

The way Seowon hurried back to grab his coat made Iden chuckle. It wasn’t because he was worried Iden might bring back the wrong items. He was worried something might happen if he went out alone.

Watching Seowon’s attitude was amusing. He kept his distance but panicked at any hint of danger toward Iden. Even though he denied being Iden’s lover, his concern for him was intense, perhaps even more than if they were a couple.

When would this double standard collapse? Compared to him, Iden’s approach was much simpler. Although he sometimes couldn’t understand Seowon’s perspective, he was patient, knowing that pushing him would only create a stronger reaction.

“You’re taking the car, right? Who’s driving? Me?”

Seowon asked as he came out dressed. Iden chuckled again. Whenever they were together, Iden had never let Seowon take the wheel, even though Seowon had a license. He had always insisted on driving himself.

Each time they hit upon one of these small differences, Seowon’s face would tense up, but for Iden, discovering these sides of him felt refreshing, almost enjoyable.

“If you want to drive, I won’t stop you.”

Hinting that he’d always been the one to drive, he watched Seowon hesitate. What went through that little head of his? He could let things slide sometimes, but he couldn’t help throwing in a word here and there to make Seowon pause.

“You drive.”

Seowon yielded easily. Despite any discomfort, he was surprisingly adaptable.

“By the way, why don’t you call me hyung anymore?”

As they headed out the door, Iden asked. Seowon looked back at him briefly before returning his gaze forward and simply replying, “Just because.”

“‘Just because’…”

Iden swallowed a bitter smile. The first time Seowon had woken up, he’d definitely called him “Iden hyung,” just as he always had, his eyes fixed on Iden’s face. But once he realized the world he lived in was different, he stopped using the word “hyung.” Instead, he called him “Director” or “you” whenever he needed to address him.

It was as if he was drawing a firm line, rejecting the notion that he was the same “Iden hyung.” Despite knowing this, a part of Iden looked forward to the day that stubborn wall would crumble. Unlike the gentle, open-hearted Seowon he once knew, this version stirred a different desire in him—a strange kind of conqueror’s instinct.

If he showed that, Seowon would probably give him a serious look and tell him not to mess around. But did he even realize that his efforts to keep his guard up only proved his heart was wavering?

“I like it when you call me hyung. Only you ever called me that.”

He said it pointedly, and Seowon’s gaze lingered on him for a moment before he looked away.

“Don’t cling to pointless things.”

Seowon responded offhandedly, brushing past him and walking ahead. Following behind him, Iden could faintly smell his scent. Recognizing it, he felt his expression tighten but didn’t show it.

If things escalated, this could get dangerous.

It wasn’t only Seowon who lacked his heat suppressant. Iden didn’t have any rut suppressant on him either. Since their bond, he’d never reacted to another Omega’s pheromones, so he hadn’t needed a prescription. After Seowon passed, he’d assumed he’d never go into rut again.

Well, he didn’t have a suppressant, but he did have someone who could help him through it.

Iden’s lips curled into a faint smile as he watched Seowon’s back. He wasn’t worried. He was sure Seowon would never turn away from him.

Since it was Sunday, the market was packed. Pushing a large cart through the aisles, they kept bumping into people passing by.

“Guess we chose the wrong day.”

“But don’t you only have weekends free?”

Iden shrugged. “Most people work Monday through Friday, you know.”

“In the past, I’d stop by on weekdays after work. I’ve never seen it this crowded…”

Seowon trailed off, pressing his lips together like he’d slipped up.

“Unlike you, I don’t mind, so there’s no need to look like that.”

Iden said it to reassure him, but Seowon bit his lower lip in response. Funny how that habit stayed the same, regardless of which world he was from. He’d often end up biting too hard, even hurting himself, but couldn’t seem to break it.

“Stop doing that.”

He reached out and gently pulled Seowon’s lip free. Seowon’s eyes lifted to meet his, but Iden only sighed. Adding more would only complicate things further for Seowon.

Just as he made contact, Seowon’s scent intensified around him. Seowon seemed unaware, but to Iden, it was overwhelming. He quickly let go and turned away, fearing he might go into rut in the middle of the store. Blending into the crowd helped dull the pheromone’s pull slightly.

He was relieved to find he could still hold out. But then he noticed Seowon wasn’t following. Turning back, he saw Seowon standing frozen, staring at him.

“What are you doing?”

At his question, Seowon finally averted his gaze, his face stiffening for some reason Iden couldn’t place.

After looking away, Seowon took a deep breath. When Iden had pulled back just now, his heart had clenched painfully. From the moment they’d become fated lovers, Iden had never once pushed him away like that. Iden had always opened his arms every single time, no matter how clingy he was. Seeing Iden coldly turn away just now was a shock.

At the same time, he was startled by how much it hurt. He said they weren’t the same person, but when that familiar face ignored him, his heart skipped a beat. This was a mess. He didn’t understand his own reaction.

He shook his head, trying to clear his tangled thoughts, and walked over to stand beside Iden. As he did, his heart gave a heavy thud. A sweet, enticing scent seemed to wrap around him, and he looked at Iden with wide eyes.

“What?”

“You…”

Are you in rut? The words got stuck in his throat. There was no reason for him to be going into rut suddenly. Even if there was another Omega nearby going through a heat cycle, Iden shouldn’t be affected. Could it be…?

Struggling to hide his alarm, Seowon lifted his arm and sniffed. Not that he could tell if he was the source of any pheromones this way.

“Your cheeks are red. Are you feeling warm?”

It wasn’t until Iden pointed it out that he noticed the slight flush in his face. But as Iden reached up to check his forehead, his hand felt hot.

Phew. Iden let out a long breath, warmth seeping through. He was definitely starting his rut.

“Let’s get out of here, quickly.”

If Iden went into rut here, there was no telling what he might do. Not that he’d go after a passerby, but…

“Seowon.”

His eyes gleamed darkly as he called Seowon’s name. If they didn’t leave now, the one in danger would be him.