Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Jongwoo stared up at the fancy apartment building in awe, having never lived or even been in such a tower of a building before, he couldn’t help being impressed. He double and triple checked that the address of the building matched with the address Jieun had sent him, stunned each time that he really was at the right place. 

Wow. I know Jieun makes a lot as a neurosurgeon, but this place is unreal. No wonder she always tells me not to worry about paying her back.

Jongwoo grabbed the handle of his beaten up suitcase and rolled it behind him as he headed inside. The doorman smiled at him politely as he opened the door, but the security guard at the front desk eyed him suspiciously.

”Name?”

”Yoon Jongwoo. My girl—“

”Ah, Miss Min’s Omega,” the security guard interrupted. “Of course. She told me you would be moving in today. Would you like me to help you with your bags?”

I have a name, asshole. 

”No. That’s okay. I got it.”

He nodded. “Call me, Mr. Park. Welcome to Eden, Mr. Yoon.”

“Thank you, Mr. Park.” Jongwoo said before politely excusing himself. He walked to the elevators and called for the first one he stepped near. The doors opened after a moment and he stepped in, flinching when he turned around and saw a man standing outside the elevator. 

The man smiled. He smelled like an Alpha.

Jongwoo pulled his suitcase out of the way so the man could get on. I didn’t even sense him… Jongwoo reached over and hit the button for the third floor. 

The man reached to hit the button for his own floor. ”Oh, do you live on the third floor as well?” The man said, his hand still half raised to push a button.

”Yes. I’m moving in today.”

”303?” The man guessed.

”How’d you know?”

”I live in 304. There’s only five apartments per floor so I know everyone and Miss Min mentioned her boyfriend would be moving in.”

Yet she’s never mentioned you.

Jongwoo nodded with a polite smile. “That’s me.” 

”You’re quite handsome. Or maybe, pretty? Both really. It’s no wonder Miss Min has been fussing over getting her apartment ready for your arrival. I would do the same if I had someone like you to prepare for.”

Jongwoo blinked at him. Is he…hitting on me? “Uh, thanks.”

“I hope you like it here. This building is still fairly new so you shouldn’t have any problems and there’s a pool and an adjoining cafe on the rooftop, as well as a gym on the lobby floor if you’re ever looking for something to do.” 

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Jongwoo said politely. Are you the manager here or something? Why pitch this place to me like I’m not already moving in? 

They both went quiet and it thankfully wasn’t long before the doors opened on their floor.

Jongwoo allowed 304 to get off first, keeping a slight distance as they walked down the hall in the same direction. 

“I hope to see you around, 303,” 304 said as they reached Jieun’s apartment first.

Jongwoo forced a smile and a nod. I hope not all of the neighbors are as chatty as you.

He entered the code to unlock the door and went inside quickly, wary of being in a new place. There was a small hallway at the front door with a built in cubicle for shoes. Jongwoo took off his shoes and grabbed the slippers on top of the shelf—several unused pairs on top, all black with an elegant ‘E’ embroidered in gold on each one. Must’ve come with the place.

Jongwoo moved into the apartment itself and was blown away by how big it was—to his left was a spacious living room with a couch big enough for about eight people, a big glass coffee table, a stylish black chair with a matching ottoman, and a giant flatscreen TV. A plethora of soft looking blankets and pillows were spread around the furniture, and Jongwoo felt tempted to test them out, but he wanted to explore more.

He turned to his right and found a decent sized kitchen with a double wide fridge, two sinks, one of which was built into the island in the center, two coffee makers—one a keurig, the other a traditional coffee maker, and fancy looking electric stove. Wow, Jieun’s last place had such a small kitchen that only one of us could fit in there at a time. 

Jongwoo walked over to the dining room that was separated from the living room by a small stretch of empty space broken by three large marble steps. The table was big enough for six people, the chairs white and cushioned, standing out against the dark blue that coated the walls of the apartment. Jongwoo took one look around and went to find the bedroom.

A king sized bed awaited him and he took off his backpack before jumping into it. His face landed in the pillows and he groaned because of how soft everything was to his tired body. He caught the scent of laundry detergent and smiled. She must’ve just washed everything for me. 

Jongwoo pulled his phone from his pocket and turned onto his back. 

| I made it. This place is amazing

🤩 do you know when you’ll be home? |

Jieun texted back immediately.

| I don’t think I’ll make it until really late,

I’ve been asked to assist with a surgery later 😔

I’m sorry, I really wanted to be there for your

first day at home. 😅 |

| But the fridge is stocked and there’s snacks

in the cabinet closet to the coffee maker 💕|

| Love you, baby. 💕💕 | 

| Love you too 💙 |

Jongwoo tossed his phone to the side and looked at the analog clock on the bedside table. It was only 4PM. Too early to sleep…I guess I’ll unpack, shower and make something to eat…maybe watch TV. 

He forced himself to get up from comfort and grabbed his suitcase. It didn’t take long to tuck away all his clothes, Jieun had marked everywhere he could put his stuff with sticky notes, including the space in the closet where he could tuck his suitcase. Once that was done he took his laptop from his backpack and put it on the desk with his charger. He couldn’t resist the urge to sit at the desk she’d bought for him and try to write.

He made little progress in his story and after three hours of struggling, he called it quits and went to make dinner, deciding showering could come last. He made enough food for Jieun and watched a true crime video on the living room TV before going to gather his things for a shower. He paused after only a few steps inside the bedroom because his laptop was open to his novel. 

Didn’t I shut it down?

Jongwoo frowned, but he couldn’t quite remember. He walked over and exited out of everything before turning off his laptop and closing it. I must be more tired than I realized.

+++++++++++

A few hours later, Jongwoo woke up and he couldn’t fathom why. He looked around the room but only saw shadows everywhere, the moon casting a soft light in the room. Something about the closet caught his eye but he couldn’t quite place it. The shadows seemed…darker there somehow.

He sat up and stared, trying to reach for a piece of information alluding him—something he’d vaguely noted about the closet when he’d come to get his clothes. 

”Oppa, you’re awake.”

Jongwoo blinked sleepily and turned his attention to the door as it opened. It was Jieun. She appeared freshly showered and wrapped only in a towel. “When did you get home.”

”Uh, like an hour ago? I ate the food you left me then I took a shower. I was hoping to slip into bed without disturbing you. Are you alright? Did you have a nightmare?”

Jongwoo shook his head and held his arms out for her. She smiled and walked into his arms, giggling when he pulled her on top of him and fell back onto the mattress with her. “How was your day?” 

“Exhausting,” Jieun answered with a heavy sigh. 

”Yeah?”

”Yeah…how was your day, Oppa?”

”It was nice. Uneventful. I just stayed in the apartment…Oh, and I met the man in 304.”

”Mr. Seo?”

”I guess so, I didn’t catch his name. He was a little weird.”

”Weird? Weird how?”

”I dunno, he just…seemed really talkative.”

”Is that a bad thing?”

”No…maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for it today,” Jongwoo said. 

She hummed softly and kissed his cheek. 

“I missed you,” Jongwoo told her softly. 

“I missed you too.” She said, staring down at him with a fond smile.

”Yeah? Show me how much.”

Jieun kissed him, softly at first but growing greedier as they found their rhythm. They hadn’t been intimate since his last heat so he was a bit impatient and it wasn’t long before he found himself in between her legs, her hand curled tight in his hair. 

Jongwoo buried his tongue deep inside her cunt, feeling as her penis hardened and left the soft folds of her body. He continued to eat her pussy while his hand wrapped around her erection and jerked her off roughly.

”Jongwoo-ah…” she moaned.

She wettened in his mouth and on his face and he licked her from her deep inside to the tip of her cock before sucking the tip into his mouth. He slipped two fingers inside her with ease and kept his mouth on her until she came and clenched around his fingers. 

Jongwoo climbed on top of her and took hold of her dick, lining it up with his leaking hole before sinking down on her girth, a lingering groan leaving him as he took down every inch of her like the good little omega he was. She arched her back, over sensitive after just coming, but she didn’t make him get off. He kissed her as he started riding her and she whimpered.

Jongwoo smirked and swirled his hips, earning a low groan. After a few minutes, Jieun hardened inside of him and sat up. Jongwoo loved this part—the part where she took control and made him feel deliriously good. 

Jieun rolled them so she was on top. “Get on all fours.”

Jongwoo felt her slip out as he turned around to do as she said, missing the feel of her in that brief moment. He felt her fingers slip inside him first, fucking him gently before she slipped her tongue inside, licking and tonguing inside of him, eating his slick greedily—like it belonged only to her. And it did. A burst of slick overflowed and she pulled away with a low chuckle. 

“Do you like it that much when my tongue is inside you, baby?”

Jongwoo hummed in agreement. “But I like it better when your cock is there.”

”Should I give it to you then?”

“Please.”

Jieun pushed inside him roughly, aware he didn’t mind it, and started fucking him hard and deep. He groaned and reached back for her hand but instead she wrapped her hand around his dick and jerked him off. He dropped his head between his shoulders and grabbed onto the sheets, losing himself in pleasure.

Neither of them lasted long, Jongwoo coming first, then Jieun, her knot popping inside of him and keeping them bound together. Jieun guided Jongwoo onto his side and hugged him from behind, kissing at his shoulder.

“One day I’ll leave my claim right here,” she said.

Jongwoo kissed her arm. “Your parents still haven’t changed their minds?”

”Well, my mom has, but dad’s still threatening to disown me if I claim you. Mom still suggests that I get you pregnant first and let the baby wear him down.”

“What if that doesn’t work?”

Jieun hummed. “I guess I’ll just have to disown my dad and support our family myself.”

He wanted to ask why they couldn’t just do that now, but he didn’t. He knew exactly why. Her father owned the hospital she worked at and if he followed through on his threat, he might transfer or fire her outright, and since he was well connected and donated to a lot of hospitals, he could block her from getting work.

“Who knows, maybe my next novel will do even better and I can support us instead.” Jongwoo said.

Jieun hugged him tighter. “You make the money with your books and we both can stay home and raise a few pups together.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Jongwoo agreed. 

Jieun shifted her hips suddenly, rubbing against his prostate. “Should we start on the first one now instead of waiting for your heat?” Her pheromones spiked and Jongwoo groaned at the scent. 

Jongwoo pressed back against her. “I think so.”

Perhaps if the two of them were more perceptive, they would’ve noticed that the shadow in the closet had disappeared and that the moon usually shone through the shutters of the door, leaving a pattern of light on the wall inside. 

Jongwoo woke up alone the next day, hardly surprising as he woke up at 2PM. He took a shower, gathered his things and went to the rooftop. He intended to write as much as he could about the next arc for the serial killer pianist from his previous novel—a book that did decently well and while he wasn’t a famous, rich author, he earned enough to survive comfortably. Not as comfortably as Jieun, but still, he was luckier than some in his field. 

The rooftop was nice and clean with plenty of places to relax comfortably in or out of the shade without being too close to the splash zone around the large swimming pool in the center. He bought an iced americano before picking out a lounge chair to work in. There wasn’t a crowd of people but there were quite a few scattered around the rooftop.

Jongwoo pulled out his laptop and pulled up his novel, reading through the parts he had written the day before. He hated most of it so he gutted it down to the parts he wanted to rework later on.

“303.” 

Jongwoo looked up from his laptop. It was the man from the elevator. He wore only black swim trunks, black square shades, black sandals, and he carried a brown tote bag—his skin was pale and his build was slim but he had some muscle to him, defined lines on his stomach and arms. Scars too. A lot. “304.”

”Mind if I sit here?”

Very much actually.

”Not at all.”

304 set his bag on the end of the chair and sat down. He rummaged through it and pulled out a pen, sticky notes, and a thick book on forensics. Jongwoo noticed there were scars on his back too. 

Jongwoo turned his attention back to his computer. I shouldn’t stare…but how did he get so many scars? And why is he casually reading a book on forensics? Is he a cop or a forensic analyst or something?

“What are you working on?” 

“My novel.” Jongwoo answered, not looking at him.

”Oh, you’re a writer?” 

“I am.” 

“Have you been published?”

”Yes. Have you heard of ‘Melody of the Depraved’?”

“I haven’t, but I should add it to my list.” 

“Let me know what you think of it if you read it,” Jongwoo said. He looked at 304 as he added, “I’m actually working on the sequel right now, and I don’t mean to be rude, but would you mind letting me get back to it?”

304 didn’t seem offended, rather amused. “Of course, my apologies…I’ll leave you to your work.”

Jongwoo nodded and turned back to his laptop screen. 304 cracked open his book and Jongwoo was able to focus again. Thirty minutes passed before a sound drew Jongwoo’s attention—304 uncapping his sunscreen and applying it to his arms and face, Jongwoo watching him. He lost the sentence that he’d come up with and couldn’t find it again. 304 caught him staring and flashed a smile. 

“Would you mind putting some on my back for me?” 304 asked.

Damn and we had a nice comfortable silence going too…well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to move around a little.

“Sure.” Jongwoo set his laptop on the chair and stood up, taking the sunscreen from 304. He squirted the sunscreen on 304’s back and started rubbing it in, growing more curious about the scars underneath his fingertips, but he didn’t ask, instead he said, “Is swimming why you’re surprisingly muscular?” 

304 chuckled. “Yes, among other things.”

Jongwoo continued rubbing lotion into his skin, amazed by each new line of muscle.  

A man with a similar haircut to 304 approached them just as Jongwoo handed Moon Jo back his sunscreen. He smelled neutral like a Beta.

“Jagiya,” 304 greeted. “Do you need something?”

‘Jagiya’ seemed unhappy, his gaze cutting from 304 to Jongwoo. “You’re Miss Min’s Omega, aren’t you?”

I have a name, asshole.

Jongwoo nodded awkwardly. “I’m Yoon—“

“I know Omegas are easy, but shouldn’t one with an Alpha be less willing to put their hands on another?” 

“What?” Jongwoo asked, dumbfounded. 

“You still smell like sex. Are you in heat or do you just get wet for any Alpha?” 

“You shouldn’t be so rude to our neighbor, Ki Hyeok,” 304 said. In that moment, Jongwoo was hit with a wave of pheromones—an Alpha’s domineering scent mixed with the scent of something sharp and pleasant. 

Jongwoo felt his body react—becoming wet with slick in an instant. Shit. This hasn’t happened in response to an Alpha since I met Jieun.

Ki Hyeok had the opposite reaction, taking a step back from 304. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He left in a hurry. Jongwoo could smell his fear linger in the air. 

Jongwoo was helpless to the way his body buzzed with electricity, on edge because of the pheromones still radiating from 304. More slick wet his hole and Jongwoo looked around nervously—seeing heads turns in his direction with interest. 

304 turned to look at him too and his heart beat faster. 

“Ah. I didn’t mean to trigger that reaction, Jagiya,”

Jongwoo swallowed his fear and embarrassment. “I—It’s fine, but…do you mind walking me home? I’ve been told my scent is hard to resist. And I don’t trust anyone here.”

”But you trust me?” There was a dangerous lilt in his voice, a dangerous glint in his dark eyes.

Jongwoo shifted uneasily, feeling the stares on his face. ”Not exactly. You’re just the easiest to report if you attack me because I know where you live.”

304 smiled. “What an interesting answer…Of course I’ll walk you home, but can I at least know your name?”

Jongwoo hesitated, still nervous, but ultimately he didn’t see a reason not to let his neighbor know his name. “I’m Yoon Jongwoo.”

”Jongwoo…what a lovely name. I’m Seo Moon Jo.” 

“Nice to meet you,” Jongwoo said as he turned around to save his work and close his laptop. 

“You too. I hope we can become good friends.” 

Jongwoo made a noncommittal hum as he stuffed his laptop into his backpack while Moon Jo stood up and gathered his own things. 

“Jongwoo.” 

He looked up. Moon Jo offered him a beach towel and Jongwoo’s face heated. I must’ve soaked through my pants. “Thanks,” he muttered. He wrapped the towel around his waist and zipped up his backpack before putting it on.

Moon Jo let him lead the way, walking behind him protectively. Heads turned in the cafe and Jongwoo refused to make eye contact, grateful for Moon Jo’s domineering pheromones keeping everyone in place. Jongwoo didn’t slow down until he was alone in the elevator with Moon Jo, keeping his distance and silently suffering due to the pheromones still radiating off the Alpha.

Why does he have to smell so damn good? I’m not usually affected by Alphas because their scent is unpleasant and triggers my flight or fight response but his…

”Are you alright? You’re glaring at me.” 

Jongwoo adjusted his face and clenched his fists at his side. “Sorry. I’m acting ungrateful, aren’t I? I’m just not used to having this reaction to an Alpha that isn’t Jieun.”

“Ah. So you like my scent then.”

”…It’s not unpleasant.” 

“What does it smell like to you?”

”Sharp and a little sweet. I can’t really place what it reminds me of.” 

“Fascinating. I’ve been told I smell like rotting flesh or blood by Betas and Omegas alike. Strange how we both smell different to only each other. Perhaps we’re True Mates.”

”…Or maybe it’s just a fluke.” Jongwoo said, shifting uncomfortably and clutching the towel around his waist tighter. 

“Maybe. But do you know what you smell like to me?” 

“Something sweet I’m sure.”

Moon Jo turned and closed the short distance between them, crowding into Jongwoo’s space until he was pressed against the wall of the elevator. ”To me, you smell crisp like apples, spicy like cinnamon and sweet like a pastry. You make my mouth water with the desire to consume you.” 

Jongwoo stared into his dark eyes, desire flaring through him and making him wet with more slick even as fear made his neck pulsate.

Moon Jo’s eyes shot down suddenly to his throat and he smiled. “Don't worry, Jagiya, I have more self control than those mutts on the rooftop. I only mean that I find your scent strangely intoxicating.”

Jongwoo felt unsettled by the admission. “I have a girlfriend, man. You can’t speak to me like that.”

”A girlfriend, but not a mate. Aside from that, is there anything stopping you from enjoying me right now?”

Jongwoo stared at him in shock. Did he really just say that? Jongwoo shoved Moon Jo away as the elevator doors opened and made a beeline for his apartment. He got inside quickly and double checked that it locked behind him before he went to the kitchen, pacing around. 

What the hell is wrong with that creep? 

“Crazy bastard. You think just because your scent doesn’t make me gag that I want to fuck you? I have a girlfriend, mate or not, she still means too much to me to just toss aside for some lunatic next door. Seriously, what the hell gives you the right to speak to me so boldly? Just because you’re an Alpha? I could rip you apart if I wanted to, asshole.” 

Jongwoo paced around for a few minutes until he remembered the reason why he’d had to come home in the first place. He put his stuff on the island and went to the bathroom to clean himself up, deciding a shower was the best method, remembering the dig made at him by 302. He wasn’t sure if he’d been bluffing just so he could call Jongwoo a whore to his face or not, but the wave of slick induced by Moon Jo’s pheromones was enough to scrub himself three times over.

Jongwoo woke up alone again the next day and when he checked his phone he had a message from Jieun explaining that she had been assigned to the ER to cover for someone last minute and asking him to call her when he woke up. He went to the kitchen to start up the coffee maker then went to the bathroom to freshen up and change his clothes. Once he was up and ready he called Jieun and went to the kitchen.

“Good morning, Oppa.” Jieun greeted. “I just wanted to hear your voice before I went to bed.”

Jongwoo smiled. “Why didn’t you come home then?”

”I’m too tired to drive. And I’m on call today so going home didn’t seem worth it.”

“You should sleep now that you’ve gotten what you want.”

”Just wanna talk a little longer. What are your plans for today?” She yawned as she asked. 

Jongwoo put the phone on the counter as he poured himself some coffee. “I don’t know. I think I might go to that Sunshine coffee place nearby and write.”

”Oh? Did you not like the rooftop?”

Jongwoo’s heart skipped. He wasn’t keen on explaining what had happened the day before because then he’d have to admit the scent of a different Alpha turned him on and he didn’t want to hurt her feelings. ”That weird neighbor was there.”

”Mr. Seo? What was so weird about him this time?”

”I don’t like the way he looks at me and…”

”And what?”

”He said my scent is irresistible.”

”Well…you’re an Omega and he’s an Alpha.”

Jongwoo quirked his brow. ”It’s more than that. He was flirting with me.”

”Are you sure you’re just not reading too much into it?”

Jongwoo frowned at her dismissive tone. “Yesterday he said, ‘You have a girlfriend but not a mate, aside from that what’s stopping you from enjoying me right now?’ if that’s not a move, what is?”

”He said that to you? Are you sure?” She sounded doubtful.

”Yes.”

”That doesn’t sound like, Mr. Seo…”

”What? Are you saying that I’m lying?” He put the coffee pot back in its place and started getting sugar. 

”No, I just wonder if your scent made him act a little crazy.”

Jongwoo felt sick. “So it’s my fault?”

”No, baby, I didn’t mean—“

“Is it my damn fault that my scent is like this? If you would just claim me already maybe other Alphas wouldn’t so casually hit on me or tell me they want to have sex with me!”

”Jongwoo—“

He hung up and tossed his phone on the counter. He covered his mouth with one hand and sunk down, squatting next to the cabinet. Did she really just say all that to me? How could she blame me like that? Like it’s my fault that my scent is still so strong?

Jongwoo took a moment to collect himself then went back to fixing his coffee. She just doesn’t understand what it’s like to be an Omega. She only knows what it’s like to have all the power in any situation she’s in.

But then, I’m the one that didn’t tell her everything…but still, it felt like she was blaming me…

Jongwoo drank his coffee as he whipped up a light breakfast that he ate while watching a true crime podcast on his phone. Then he grabbed his things, shoving them inside his backpack before leaving the apartment. It took less than ten minutes to reach the coffee shop, order an iced americano, and sit at a table near the front window. 

He pulled his laptop from his bag and started reworking some of the scenes that just hadn’t felt right when he’d thought about them in bed. He had only been there for around fifteen minutes when he heard a familiar voice greet him.

“303.”

Jongwoo’s blood ran cold, his gaze shooting up to meet familiar dark eyes. “304.”

”Come to get some writing done?” 

Jongwoo nodded. 

“Did I make you uncomfortable yesterday to the point that you couldn’t return to the rooftop today?”

”Clearly.” Jongwoo said, his irritation winning out over his fear.

Moon Jo’s lips twitched as if he wanted to smile. “My apologies. I could say it was because I’m an unmated Alpha and your scent was too alluring, but that’s a lame excuse, isn’t it?”

”Very lame.”

Moon Jo stepped closer, lowering his voice as he said, “I’m sorry for losing to my baser instincts yesterday. I’m usually unaffected by Omegas because I hate that sickly sweet scent they secrete, but you smelled like…well, anyway, I’ll try to respect you and your relationship from now on.” 

Jongwoo studied him, not quite believing him, but not able to place why. Still, he nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Seo.” 

“Call me Moon Jo.”

Jongwoo considered him for a moment then said, ”Alright, Moon Jo, I’ll accept your apology, but I would like to be alone for now.”

”I understand. I’ll leave you to your work.” 

Moon Jo got in line to order and Jongwoo made a point not to look over. Eventually he was able to focus again and was able to put the unwanted interaction aside. For ten minutes, at least, when an employee came up to his table.

“Here’s your chocolate strawberry cheesecake.”

Jongwoo frowned. “I didn’t order this.”

”The man you were talking to earlier ordered it for you. And he left this note.” She explained.

Jongwoo took the sticky note the worker handed him before she left. 

| Forgive me, Jagiya. |

Jongwoo scoffed. Respect my relationship my ass! Why does he keep calling me that? 

Jongwoo crumpled up the sticky note and tossed it into his open backpack before he went back to writing. He ignored the cheesecake for few minutes, his mind wandering as he tried to think of what to type next. His gaze landed on the cheesecake and he reluctantly picked up the fork on the plate and tried it. 

It was delicious. 

He huffed but scarfed down the rest of it and took a long sip of his americano to wash it down. I guess I'll accept his apology for now but I won't forget what he did or how he creepily calls for me like a lover.

+++++

Jongwoo went home around dinner time and was barely in his apartment when the doorbell rang. He turned around and opened the door to be greeted by a chicken delivery guy. 

“I didn’t order food.”

”Your girlfriend did.” He said, then reading off the receipt added, “She says she’s sorry and to check your phone.” 

Jongwoo accepted the chicken and the delivery guy left. He went back inside and set the food on the island. He checked his phone just as it buzzed with a new text.

| I'm sorry for what I said on the phone, baby.

I was wrong and I shouldn’t have said that.

Please forgive me 🥺🥺 I love you. I'll see you

in themorning. Text me if you need anything 💞💞 |

Jongwoo sighed. He was still angry about what she said but he was softened by the gesture. He didn't text back just to be petty, simply liking the message. His phone buzzed with a call from his agent and he answered it. 

"Hello."

"Please tell me you're in Seoul and ready for tomorrow." Chang Hyun said.

"I am." Jongwoo confirmed. "This is actually my third day in Seoul."

"This is why you're my favorite author."

Jongwoo chuckled. "Did that Webtoon author runaway again?"

"...If anyone asks you the answer is no, okay?"

Jongwoo clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Your company really should hire someone else so you don't have to pull double duty."

"My heart agrees with you but my wallet doesn't."

Jongwoo laughed. 

"Send me your address and I'll pick you up tomorrow at 10. We'll get you fed and styled and do a rehearsal at 12."

“Sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

”Okay, see you!” Chang Hyun replied cheerily. 

Jongwoo hung up and went to put the food in the kitchen. Chang Hyun was his best friend in the world. They’d met during their military service when some asshole had pulled Jongwoo onto his lap and told him he’d put a pup in his belly so he didn’t have to finish his service. Jongwoo had punched him square in the face and they’d fought but despite how scrappy Jongwoo was, he’d still needed the help Chang Hyun had offered. 

They’d become friends from that moment on and fate had reunited them professionally. Jongwoo was perpetually grateful to him for everything he’d done for him during those two years. He would be willing to step in and protect him from a creep like Moon Jo if Jongwoo needed him to, no questions asked. 

Once the food was put away, Jongwoo went to his room to put his laptop on his desk and charge his phone. When he tried to open the drawer where he’d put his charger it wouldn’t open and he had to fight with it for a full minute before it opened. Then, when he tried to close it, it got stuck, and he couldn’t get it to close again. “Well I’m not putting shit in there again.” 

After that, Jongwoo went to eat dinner alone in the kitchen while watching a crime drama on his phone. He tried not to feel lonely but it was hard when he had no one waiting for him to come home, and no one to talk to or even quietly enjoy a drama with as they ate. It’s only been a couple days. I’m sure it won’t always be like this. 

Jieun was in the kitchen when he woke up the next day but she didn’t look dead tired from working a long shift, she looked perfectly normal and alert. “Good morning,” she greeted, walking over to kiss his cheek with a steaming mug in her hand.

“Morning,” Jongwoo greeted. “Didn’t you just get off work?” 

”No, actually, I was able to get away around 3AM but I was too tired to drive home so I stayed with my coworker, Hana.”

Jongwoo thought for a second. “Ah, is that the one you stayed with while you were looking for a new place?”

”Yup, that’s her.”

Jongwoo nodded.

”There’s still some coffee if you want some.”

Jongwoo walked over to the cabinet to grab a mug. 

“What are your plans for today?” Jieun asked as she sat at the island with her own coffee.

“I have a book signing event at a small bookstore in Gangnam this afternoon.”

”Really? Why didn’t you tell me?”

”I did, but it was a few weeks ago so you probably just forgot.”

She smiled apologetically and reached over to squeeze his arm. “I’m sorry, baby. I’ve spent too much time in the operating room lately. I don’t know where my mind has been lately.”

He grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it. “It’s okay. I know you’re busy. I just miss you.” 

“I miss you too.” She kissed his hand and nuzzled her cheek against it. “But don’t worry, I’ll be here the whole week for your heat.”

”Yeah?”

”I was able to get time off.”

”Unless your dad suddenly forces you to go in.” Jongwoo said with a pout.

“Don’t worry so much, I made sure your OB-GYN only reports to me his time. Daddy has no way of knowing that your heat is coming.” 

“And yet I’m still nervous. You know how intense my heats are and I don’t want what happened last time to happen again.”

”Oppa, you know I don’t blame you for that.”

”But I—“

Jieun grabbed his face. “You couldn’t help yourself. It’s okay, baby. I’ve never been angry about what happened. You have to forgive yourself already.” 

But Jongwoo couldn’t. That incident made him feel sick—made him want to claw his own skin off. 

He nodded to appease her and accepted the kiss she gave him with bile in his throat. Strangely, he caught a whiff of her pheromones and his body started to relax, the bile dissipating unnaturally. He kissed her back, whining slightly when she teased him with her tongue. 

She pulled away after a moment and said, ”Just write as much as you can so you can take time off without feeling guilty, hm?” 

Jongwoo nodded, wiping his mouth. Damn it, she distracted me again. Why does she always dismiss what happened like this?

She kissed him again and stepped away. “I have to get going, I have a shift, but I hope your book signing goes well.”

”Thanks. Me too.”

Jieun grabbed her coffee and headed to the door. “Love you!” She called. 

“Love you too.” 

Jongwoo stared after her pitifully. I thought moving back in together would mean we could actually be together…I thought it meant we could finally talk about it…

+++++

Jongwoo’s book signing event included him reading the fan voted favorite chapter of his novel and answering questions. Though he was nervous, he got through it well, the energy in the room easy to feed off of and perfect to hide his nerves behind. The only part that felt truly awkward was the actual book signing where he had to talk one on one—most people were fine, but a few people were a little too passionate and they not only said inappropriate things but hit on him too. 

Still, he felt happy just having so many people there for his novel. 

Jongwoo looked down as one person left to grab a book and when he raised his head to greet the next person he tensed. “You…what are you doing here?”

Moon Jo smiled. “I came to get my new favorite author’s autograph.” 

“You read my book in two days?”

”I couldn’t seem to put it down once I started.”

Jongwoo softened a little at the compliment. He opened the book in his hand to the title page. “Who should I make it out to?” 

“Jagiya.”

Jongwoo shot him a glare. He ignored the request and signed it the way he preferred instead before handing it back to Moon Jo. “Thank you for your support.” 

Moon Jo smiled again. “Neighbors should always help each other.” He looked down at Jongwoo’s writing and read it aloud quietly. “To Moon Jo, thanks for being a fan but please quit stalking me, yours truly, Marlowe.” Moon Jo chuckled and stared at Jongwoo like he wanted to devour him.

”Please pay for your signed copy at the register,” Chang Hyun urged gently.

“Just one more question.” Moon Jo said, not so much as glancing in Chang Hyun’s direction. “Is your pen name a reference to the private investigator Philip Marlowe?”

Jongwoo blinked at him in surprise. “You know Raymond Chandler?”

“Of course. Your work felt very inspired by his so I couldn’t help but wonder if you chose that pen name as an homage.”

Jonhwoo perked up. “I did. Have you read all of his works?”

”I have.”

”What did you think of The Long Goodbye? I know some people say it’s inferior to Chandler’s other works but I really enjoyed it.“

”Me too. Though I understand it contains problematic elements that might put off new readers, I still consider it underrated.”

“I feel like problematic elements are a staple of older literature,” Jongwoo said. “But fiction should always be a place to explore one’s own psyche and it’s never quite as clean and unproblematic as some would like.”

“I agree. The human mind is a fascinating thing to explore to its deepest, darkest, depths. By chance, have you read The Metamorphosis?”

Jongwoo lit up. “It’s one of my favorites.”

Moon Jo smiled, but as he opened his mouth to speak, Chang Hyun interjected. 

”We need to keep the line moving.” Chang Hyun said politely.

Jongwoo realized then that he’d forgotten where he was and who exactly he’d been talking to.  

”I’ll be at the cafe next door if you want to continue this discussion, Mr. Marlowe.” Moon Jo said, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

Jongwoo nodded awkwardly. 

”Who was that?” Chang Hyun whispered as Moon Jo walked away. 

“My next door neighbor. Don’t mind him, he’s kind of strange.” 

They didn’t get to continue their conversation as another fan stepped up. 

+++++

Jongwoo stared at the cafe to his left, biting his lip in contemplation. It would be crazy to go, right? I mean he’s made it clear he wants me and he keeps showing up wherever I am…but no one around me likes to talk about literature unless it’s to ask me when my next book is getting published…and it’s not like there’s anyone waiting for me to come home. Plus, I already sent Chang Hyun home so…

The bibliophile in Jongwoo couldn’t resist the chance to talk about his favorite author. When he walked into the cafe he spotted Moon Jo instantly and his heart skipped—Moon Jo was wearing glasses and instead of the black long sleeved shirt he’d been wearing earlier, he was in a tight, white button up shirt with long sleeves.

He’s actually more handsome than I thought…

Jongwoo shook his head and went to order a coffee. After that was done, he walked over to join Moon Jo who appeared to be rereading his book. 

Moon Jo put down the book and smiled. “You came.” 

“Well, it seems we’ll be seeing a lot of each other from now on. I’d rather make a friend than an enemy of my neighbor.” It was sort of true. 

”Smart. Have you ordered?”

Jongwoo nodded. “You changed your clothes,” he noted. 

Moon Jo looked down as if he’d forgotten. “Ah, yes, I’m due to look over the renovations to my clinic this evening so I brought more professional clothing with me today.”

Jongwoo titled his head curiously. ”Clinic?”

Moon Jo looked up. ”I’m a dentist.” 

“Oh…”

”What? I don’t like look a Dentist?”

Jongwoo shook his head. ”No, it’s not that. It’s just that I remember you reading a book on forensics so I thought you might be in a related field.”

Moon Jo lit with realization. “Ah, you could say forensics is something of great interest to me, but I decided to pursue something more lucrative and allowed for more free time.”

Jongwoo nodded and scrambled for something to say, landing on something fairly quick. “You know since you enjoy forensics and true crime, you might like this documentary I saw recently…”

Jongwoo easily dove into details of a random documentary that popped into his head and even suggested a few books he’d read while writing his last novel—Moon Jo taking notes in a small brown notebook he’d pulled from his tote bag. And then they finally landed on the topic that had drawn Jongwoo in. 

“You asked me about The Long Goodbye earlier,” Moon Jo said. “I agree that it’s one of Chandler’s best works. I’m particularly haunted by the ending. Marlowe turning Lennox away while straining himself waiting for him to come back like a man in denial of greater feelings but wanting them realized by the object of them…It’s tragic, wouldn’t you say?”

“I would but I also think there’s a beauty in the implication that love doesn’t have to be physically realized or said to be present in the narrative. Chandler may not have even realized the queer implications of the novel but the tension in those final pages showed the depth of Marlowe and Lennox’s bond and the internal conflict of what was right and wrong in that situation.” 

”Lennox disappeared from Marlowe’s life right before he, Lennox, was accused of murdering his wife, leaving Marlowe to clear his name, which he does with much trouble, and in response to the ad Marlowe put in the paper afterward to summon him back, Lennox repays his old friend by showing up with a new face and lying to him about his own murder. Marlowe sees through him and is understandably angry but it’s that moment you described that shows that Marlowe just wanted Lennox back.”

”After all the trouble he caused, Marlowe still wanted Lennox by his side, despite rebuffing him, he wishes his friend would turn around and fight for their bond. And it’s so close to being requited love, but Lennox never came back into his life and that love remains buried under the surface. It remains unknown and incomplete as an ill fated friendship.”

Moon Jo’s eyes were sparkling, an amused smile on his face. 

Jongwoo paused, feeling awkward. “Ah, I talked too much, didn’t I?”

”Not at all,” Moon Jo assured him. “You spoke with such passion and enthusiasm. It was charming. I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts and I wouldn’t mind hearing more. What do you think of the interpretation that Lennox and Wade represent Chandler himself?

Jongwoo opened his mouth and couldn’t seem to close it after that, diving more into The Long Goodbye, The High Window, The Big Sleep and the rest of Chandler’s works. Moon Jo matched his enthusiasm and even when he didn’t entirely agree with Jongwoo’s analysis, he still didn’t make Jongwoo feel wrong about his interpretations. He even complimented Jongwoo’s own writing and gave same of his thoughts on his novel. It was nice. 

And when they moved on to discussing The Metamorphosis, Jongwoo was enraptured by Moon Jo, impressed by how similar their thinking was when it came to similar parts then wildly different at others. He wanted to hear Moon Jo’s thoughts on his entire book collection, but before he could ask about another of his favorite books, his phone lit up on the table and he saw Jieun’s name and picture. 

Jongwoo quickly grabbed his phone. “Sorry, I gotta take this.” Jongwoo left the table in a hurry as he answered his phone. “Hello?”

“Oppa, where are you?”

Jongwoo kept his voice low as he answered. ”I ran into 304 at my book signing and we ended up getting coffee.”

”Oh,” Jieun said, clearly surprised. “So I take it you got over your dislike for him then?”

Jongwoo waited until he was outside to answer. ”I don’t know yet. But he’s not so bad to talk to.” 

“Well that’s great news because I didn’t want to move,” She joked.

Jongwoo chuckled.

“Hey, so do you want to meet me for dinner? I got off early tonight.”

Jongwoo perked up. ”Yeah, when and where?”

”That ramen shop across from Eden in like…thirty minutes?”

Jongwoo looked at his watch. “Yeah, but make it fifty.” 

“Sounds good. Love ya.”

”Love you too.” Jongwoo hung up and walked back inside. He kind of didn’t want to leave, wanting to hear more of Moon Jo’s thoughts about his book, but he didn’t want to miss an opportunity to finally hangout with Jieun. 

Moon Jo looked up at him expectantly. “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah. Jieun wants to have dinner so I’ve got to go, but this was…nice.” 

“It was,” Moon Jo agreed. “We should have coffee like this again sometime.” Something about his smile as he extended the invitation felt like a trap—perhaps the hint of smugness in his eyes. It made Jongwoo feel a bit unnerved. 

”Yeah, maybe.” He answered noncommittally. 

“Would you like a ride to dinner?”

Jongwoo looked at him curiously. ”You have a car?”

”Yes. I don’t care for driving but sometimes it’s just easier.” 

“Ah, but don’t you have to check on the renovations to your clinic?”

Moon Jo checked the time on his phone. “Right, but…I’m afraid I’ve already missed the Contractor due to our lively conversation.”

Jongwoo hesitated but couldn’t see a reason to not accept the offer. ”Well, the restaurant Jieun picked is across from Eden so if you wouldn’t mind…”

Moon Jo stood up, grabbing his things. “That works perfectly then. Shall we?” 

Jongwoo followed Moon Jo to his car—a dark grey Kia SUV. He got in and silently admired the car.  It looks brand new. 

”Do you have any preference for music?” Moon Jo asked. 

“I’m fine with anything.” 

“I’ll just play the radio.” Moon Jo turned on the radio but kept the volume low enough that they could still talk if they wanted. A few minutes passed without them saying anything then Jongwoo remembered a question he’d had.

”How did you find out about my book signing?” 

“After you told me the name of your novel I looked it up and the book signing event popped up.”

Jongwoo nodded. The fruit of Jaeho’s labor, I guess. 

Moon Jo huffed a quiet laugh. “Do you really believe I’m stalking you, Jagiya?”

There’s that damn term of endearment again! 

”First, don’t call me that,” Jongwoo said, then, “And second, you just keep showing up where I am.”

”We live in the same area, is it so strange to run into each other frequently?” 

Jongwoo considered that. Technically, only the book signing event wasn’t anywhere near their apartment. “…I guess not. I’m just not used to someone having as much free time as me.” 

“If it helps, I will have to return to work once the renovations are done.” 

“Do you work long hours?”

”From 8AM to 6PM. But I’ve hired someone to split the days with so I only work three days a week.”

”It must be nice being your own boss,” Jongwoo commented. 

“I enjoy the freedom. Though, if my foster mother were still here, she would say I’m not working hard enough.”

Jongwoo looked at him curiously. “When did she pass?”

”Last year. Her and my foster brothers tragically passed away in a fire set by my foster mother’s boyfriend.” Moon Jo answered calmly. 

“That’s terrible.” What the fuck?

“It is, but at least he burned up with them. Unfortunately, he took the life of Ms. Eom’s tenant, Mr. Hong, too.” 

“I can’t imagine that was an easy thing to process.” If he lost his family like that, maybe that’s why he’s so intense—he’s just forgotten how to be around people…

“It wasn’t but there’s nothing I could’ve done and no one to punish. All I can do now is collect the insurance checks as if they could ever be enough to replace what I’ve lost.” The way he said it was quiet and strained but Jongwoo noticed that his face was relaxed and his eyes…Jongwoo couldn’t place what was in them but it wasn’t sadness or anger. He didn’t know what to make of that.

”Were you close to your family?”

Moon Jo considered the question then answered, “Close in some ways but very distant in others. It’s hard to say really, but I valued the pack bond we had. Still, it was somewhat difficult to form relationships outside of the family and I think I still struggle with doing so.” 

And that explains why he’s unmated. Jeez, I actually feel sorry for him.

“But that’s enough about me.” Moon Jo said. “Are you close with your family?”

Jongwoo turned his gaze to the windshield.“Uh…close enough, I guess. It’s just my mom, my little brother, and me. My dad passed away when I was fifteen and Jinwoo was eleven.”

”I’m sorry to hear that,” Moon Jo said with more emotion in his face than when he’d talked about his own family. “How did your dad pass?”

Jongwoo hesitated to answer. It was a bit of a sore subject for him, but he felt inclined to answer after hearing about Moon Jo’s past. 

”Well, he came home from work early one day and decided to take a nap in his favorite chair while he had the house to himself and…he had a heart attack in his sleep.”

”That’s awful.” 

“Yeah,” Jongwoo agreed. “I guess it was lucky that I had decided not to pick up my brother from school that day because I got home first and found him…” Jongwoo could see his father in that damn blue chair as if he was right in front of him. Eyes closed. 

“I thought he was asleep at first but he had always had this very loud, obnoxious snore. He was silent that day so I went to check on him and realized he wasn’t breathing. I panicked and tried to shake him awake but he didn’t stir so I called for help.”

“Then I called my mom. I could barely get the words out and once I did, I dropped the phone and went back to my dad’s body. I was alone with him for eight minutes and I couldn’t stop staring at him. He really looked like he was just sleeping…and I ended up touching his face but I…I   couldn’t feel whether he was warm or cold because my hands were numb…I started shaking terribly then and I ran to the kitchen and threw up in the trash can.”

Jongwoo found himself lost in the memory—his childhood home so vivid and real it was almost like he was back in that kitchen, wiping vomit from his mouth. He clenched his fists as bile rose in his throat and dug his nails into his palms. “They called it a widowmaker heart attack and said that there wasn’t anything we could’ve done.” 

”What an awful thing for someone so young to experience,” Moon Jo said gently. 

“It was.” Jongwoo agreed tightly, clenching his fists just a little tighter, trying to ground himself. “But I’m glad it was me who found him. I’m glad I’m the only one who was haunted by that damn chair. My brother was too young and he has a bad heart and my mother…she didn’t deserve to see the man she loved like that in the chair she’d saved up for so long to buy him.” 

“You’re a good son and brother.”

Jongwoo scoffed, finally starting to pull himself out of his own head. “I don’t know about that. I think I’ve gotten worse at taking care of them as I’ve gotten older. All I’m good for is making money so my mother doesn’t have to work more than one job and my brother can stay home and play games all day and keep his heart beating.” 

“You’re doing more than most, Jagiya,” Moon Jo said gently. “From what I heard, you’re letting them live comfortably and I think that’s what good fathers want for their family. That’s enough.”

Jongwoo looked at Moon Jo, tears springing to his eyes. It was perhaps the kindest and gentlest thing anyone had ever said to him. 

Moon Jo glanced at him briefly, not smiling but looking at Jongwoo so warmly that he had to look away first. “I’ve never had a good father so I can’t understand having to fill one’s shoes, but I think you’re doing just fine. “

Jongwoo’s lip quivered and he subtly wiped his eyes. He cleared his throat and changed the topic. “You didn’t know your father?”

“Not really,” Moon Jo said. “He was an alcoholic who abandoned me at an orphanage when I was seven. He used to beat me, bully me, and cut me with shards of glass he collected from the bottles he threw at me…”

”My mother had gotten into a car accident the day I was born and they managed to save me before she passed away. I guess he blamed me because she was on her way to the hospital to induce labor—as if was my fault for not being born on time and not his for making a pregnant woman drive herself to the hospital…” Moon Jo sighed heavily, as if just talking about his father was tiring. 

”Your father sounds like a nightmare.” Jongwoo said, glancing out the window, still emotional. He recognized their surroundings. They were almost to Eden. 

”He was my first. Ms. Eom was my second…She ran the orphanage I grew up in and she was tough on me. She didn’t like how rebellious I was and she even gave me some of my scars, but she slowly became like a mother to me. She taught me so many valuable things and she raised me into the man I am, but I was…relieved by her death because her love felt like a chokehold I could never escape.” 

Jongwoo hummed, processing the information before he said, “You know, they say hell is other people. Your father and Ms. Eom are proof of that.” 

“I think you’re right, Jagiya. At least my hell has ended. What about yours?

Jongwoo glanced at him, feeling a little more composed now. ”Mine?”

“Who is your hell?”

One person came to mind. “A senior of mine from school,” he answered vaguely. 

“And what did he do to you?” 

“He…” Jongwoo felt bile in his throat again. “Ah…I think that I’ve shared too much with you already. We barely know each other.” 

“Well, what’s wrong with that? I like learning about you.”

“That’s only because you’re attracted to me.” Jongwoo pointed out as they pulled to a stop in front of the ramen shop. 

Moon Jo chuckled. “While that is true, I want you to trust me, Jagiya. To lean on me if you ever find yourself in a crisis or even just to come to me when you feel lonely or upset or if you just simply want to talk.” 

”But…why? I’m practically married and found my mate.”

”Does that mean we can’t be friends? I won’t ask for anything else.”

”You won’t ask, but you won’t hide that you want me or stop calling for me affectionately,” Jongwoo said. “What am I supposed to do with that?”

Moon Jo turned to look at him, his eyes lit with interest. ”What do you want to do?” 

Jongwoo blindly reached to his right. “I want to have dinner with my girlfriend." 

"Then you should do that." Moon Jo flashed a smile 

“Look, I don’t mind hanging out with you but that’s it.” 

“I understand, Jagiya.” 

Jongwoo opened his door. “I’m serious. Your flirting isn’t going to work on me,” 

“Then why does it scare you so much?”

“Scare?” Jongwoo scoffed. “It creeps me the fuck out. Especially when you smile at me like I’m the most amusing little puppy.” 

“But you are.”

Jongwoo’s frustration bubbled up. “Ah! It’s like we’re speaking two different languages!” 

Moon Jo chuckled again. “No, I understand you perfectly well. I’m just not interested in hiding my desire for you, even if you don’t share in it. But I will try to use my words more carefully from now on.” 

Jongwoo didn’t believe him. “Please do.” He got out of the car and shut the door behind him without looking back. He’s so infuriating! Just when I think we’re getting along, he goes and says something wrong.

Jongwoo sighed heavily and took a moment to collect his thoughts. Maybe he’ll give up in time and we can be friends properly after Jieun claims me. 

Jongwoo looked inside the ramen shop and spotted Jieun. If I tell her anything that he said, will she just dismiss it like last time? He decided to not say anything. He didn’t want to risk another fight or getting his feelings hurt. He forced a smile and walked into the ramen shop. 

+++++

During dinner, Jieun had received a call about an emergency surgery and had to go back to work. Jongwoo had pretended it was fine, but he was starting to feel like he was seeing Moon Jo more than his own girlfriend. Jongwoo returned to his apartment, intending to write for awhile before turning in for the night. 

Jongwoo walked over to his desk and paused in front of it. He could’ve sworn he’d left his laptop open but not only that, the middle drawer that had gotten stuck the other day was shut. He opened it then shut it again with ease. He frowned, confused. 

What the hell? Why is it suddenly working?

Jongwoo sat at his desk and opened his laptop. It wasn’t on and it didn’t feel warm when he touched it. Is it just my imagination? Did I close it after all?

He plugged it in to charge and tried to turn it on but it wouldn’t. He frowned and kept trying. After ten minutes he accepted defeat. Fuck, I need to go buy another one. 

He checked his bank account and worried his bottom lip with his teeth. His brother’s monthly hospital bill was coming up and he wouldn’t have much left until his next check came in so he couldn’t write comfortably in the meantime. Luckily, all of his work was backed up so he didn’t have to worry about having to start all over, but getting his laptop fixed might take awhile and he had progress deadlines to meet. 

“Damn it. Why couldn’t you have waited until I finished my novel, huh? Now I might have to ask Jieun for money to fix or replace you…” Jongwoo sighed heavily. 

His eyes landed on the fixed drawer. Did Jieun fix it without me noticing?