Chapter Text
The conversation at the table continued as if that strange, inexplicable tension between Seonghyeon and Keonho had never existed. Perhaps the older generation hadn't noticed — or perhaps they simply ignored it, continuing to discuss future business plans. Seonghyeon, meanwhile, kept his eyes fixed on his plate, never lifting his gaze without necessity, answering only the occasional questions from Kim Woobin about company matters. And Keonho — as if hypnotized — watched Seonghyeon, who looked like white marble: pale, tense, under a gaze that seemed not even to blink.
This strange behavior from his younger brother eventually caught Martin's attention. He unconsciously exchanged a glance with Juhoon — who had also noticed that Seonghyeon, usually so in control of everything, even his own emotions, now looked nervous.
– Keonho? — Martin whispered, nudging his younger brother's shin with the toe of his shoe under the table to get his attention.
Keonho blinked, as if only just realizing where he was, and turned his gaze to the omega, who was looking at him with a silent question.
– Yeah? — Keonho asked in the same whisper, as if he hadn't been acting strangely just a few seconds ago.
– You okay?
– Yeah.
– Have you decided where you'll be living? — Kim Woobin interrupted, cutting off Martin before he could interrogate his younger brother further, drawing everyone's attention.
– I still suggest and insist that you live here, — the grandfather said, leaning back in his chair with an authoritative tone, making it clear what he demanded — and that he and Juhoon would have to follow his lead. Martin let out a quiet snort. He'd known this outcome was possible.
– The mansion is too far from the companies. It will be difficult for me to commute to work, — Martin answered, clearing his throat with a light cough. He wasn't about to simply give up and be the obedient omega they wanted him to be. They'd known what they were getting into when they proposed this marriage.
Hearing his words, Kim Woobin pursed his lips in displeasure. Martin half-expected to hear that infamous "alpha voice" that so many used to subdue those weaker than themselves.
– I thought you would quit your job, or at least work from home, — the older man clarified, leaning forward and folding his hands on the table. His entire posture screamed that everyone should obey him, his aura pressing down on them.
So that was his plan. Since Martin disagreed, he wanted to offer a compromise?
No way.
Martin wouldn't agree to that. He didn't love architecture, true, but it was his only chance not to depend on a husband and to spend time outside the house.
– He's an architect. He needs to see and understand what he's working on to do a good job, — Juhoon's voice was calm, as if he wasn't speaking against his own grandfather.
Everyone turned to him. Martin's neck probably let out a pathetic crack from the speed with which he looked at the alpha. The man calmly took a sip from his glass.
– I bought an apartment in Hannam-dong, — Juhoon continued in the same impassive tone. — Close to the Park Corporation and not far from ours.
From the way Kim Woobin's fists clenched, it was clear — he didn't like this.
But more importantly.
What?
He did what?
Why did this alpha keep surprising him? And more importantly, why was he trying to please Martin?
First, he'd offered to rewrite the contract. Now, an apartment. He'd even agreed that Martin wouldn't have to spend his heats with him, even though the main purpose of the contract was the production of an heir. But even then, Juhoon had said Martin didn't have to, that he wouldn't touch the omega against his will.
This was more unsettling than the pressure, the violence, and the shouting Martin had prepared himself for.
But Juhoon…
The alpha had made it clear from the very beginning that he was different.
Still, Martin wasn't ready to trust him so easily. And judging by the way Juhoon was looking at him now — without any hint of heroism, without expecting gratitude for his actions — the older man probably understood what Martin was thinking.
– Juhoon…
– I decided it would be easier for us if we had our own space, — Juhoon interrupted Kim Woobin, answering in an even voice.
Martin tried to ignore the way Kim Woobin's Adam's apple bobbed at his grandson's words — as if he hadn't expected this. Apparently, he wasn't the only one: Seonghyeon, who had been staring at his plate all this time, finally looked up at his brother in surprise. And out of the corner of his eye, Martin noticed Keonho's gaze once again fixed on the younger of the Kims.
– We got married, as you wanted, — Juhoon said, his voice even, not defiant, but with unshakable firmness.
– Now it would be better if we made our own decisions regarding our marriage.
Silence fell after his words. Seonghyeon looked at his brother as if seeing him for the first time. Juhoon had never defied their grandfather. Never. And today — twice.
What had changed?
He turned his gaze to Martin. The omega sat with his back straight, showing no emotion, staring straight ahead, but Seonghyeon noticed how his fingers were gripping the edge of the table — from anger? Or from surprise?
And then his gaze met Keonho's.
The younger man was staring at him intently — with dark, attentive eyes, in which there was something… perhaps curiosity mixed with fear, but the most important thing was surely recognition. Seonghyeon didn't know what. But he wanted to look away first.
So he did.
Kim Woobin slowly exhaled. His fists unclenched, but his gaze remained heavy.
– Fine, — he said after a long pause.
– But I hope you haven't forgotten why this marriage took place.
He rose from the table, signaling that dinner was over.
Park Sojun stood up as well, giving his eldest son an unreadable glance, and quietly followed Kim Woobin out.
Martin snorted.
Apparently, his father simply didn't want to cause a scene in the house of his business partners, who would bring him considerable profit in the future.
Once the adults had left, Seonghyeon stood up. Abruptly, awkwardly — the chair scraped across the floor with a long, grating screech, breaking the silence that had just begun to settle over the room.
– I'll be going. It was nice meeting you, — Seonghyeon said, avoiding eye contact with anyone, gripping the edge of his jacket to somehow steady his trembling and hide it from prying eyes. Especially from Keonho.
Keonho seemed ready to rise as well. But Seonghyeon noticed how the younger man hesitated for a second, how uncertainty flickered in his eyes, and then — understanding.
"Don't speak. Don't say anything," Seonghyeon thought to himself.
"Not now. Not when he's ready to shrink into the floor just to keep me from talking to him," Keonho retreated bitterly.
And the alpha inside him curled up painfully in his chest — from the quiet, silent rejection of Seonghyeon, who quietly left the dining room, not even saying goodbye to his brother, walking away, leaving behind only a trail of sharp cedar mixed with black coffee — which was slightly bitter.
– Hyung, I'll wait in the car, — Keonho said and followed him out.
Silence settled in the room. Not awkward — just there, making itself known.
– Was it worth going against your grandfather? He clearly didn't like what you did, — Martin asked as he stood up from the table. He hadn't planned to stay in the mansion any longer than necessary, thinking he'd just leave without a word. He had no desire to get involved in the Kims' disputes. But driven by curiosity, the words slipped out on their own, causing Juhoon to also stand and stop across from him — not too close, but not so far as to invade his personal space.
– It's better for us to live separately. For many reasons, — Juhoon answered.
– The main one is work: closer to both companies. And also… I want you to be at least a little comfortable.
The omega inside him raised its head with interest, hearing the calm and unexpectedly pleasant response from the alpha who stood across from him, tilting his head slightly upward. But he didn't look insulted by the height difference — not at all. Perhaps quite the opposite. This difference… it was as if he didn't even notice it.
Martin didn't know what to say. The words stuck in his throat — his usual sharp retort didn't come to his rescue.
Because Juhoon was different.
– See you tomorrow, — he said instead and walked out, feeling a gaze on his back.
Warm. Calm. Not oppressive.
And somehow, it made it easier to breathe.
^
Martin got behind the wheel, glancing at his brother. He was sitting, staring at a single spot on the dashboard, his fingers gripping the seatbelt — too tightly, even his knuckles had gone white.
– You're not going to tell me what happened? — Martin asked, starting the engine.
Keonho was silent for a few seconds. Then he exhaled — heavily, as if he hadn't been breathing all this time.
– Later, — he said.
– Okay?
Martin wanted to push — it was an older brother's habit — but changed his mind. Keonho had never shut him out, always sharing everything on his mind. But if he said "later," it meant he really wasn't ready, and Martin didn't want to pressure him.
– Fine, — Martin answered.
– But you will tell me. Later.
Keonho nodded.
The car fell quiet. Only the sound of the road and the occasional flash of streetlights slipping through the windows, illuminating how tense Keonho's shoulders were. Martin's fingers tapped absently on the steering wheel, keeping a rhythm unknown to both of them. The older brother released a bit of pheromones, and the scent of cold tea with notes of fresh bergamot — slightly sweet — spread through the car, signaling that the omega wanted to create comfort for his younger brother.
– Hyung, — Keonho called out after a few minutes.
– Hm?
– What about you? How is he?
Martin didn't immediately understand who he was talking about, lost in his own thoughts — about the unexpected turns of the day. From Keonho's strange behavior to the actions and words of his newly-minted husband. When he did — he chuckled.
– I don't know, — he said honestly.
– I don't know yet.
Keonho turned his head, looking at his brother. Something like understanding flickered in his eyes.
– Juhoon, — he clarified, and the name didn't sound hostile coming from him — more… inquisitive. — He stood up for you in front of your grandfather. I don't think Kim Woobin was ready for that. I guess none of the Kims have ever done anything like that.
– None of the Kims ever stood up for anyone, — Martin replied.
– But that doesn't mean he can be trusted.
The words hung heavy in the air. Keonho was silent, but Martin noticed how his fingers relaxed, loosening their grip on the seatbelt.
They drove on in silence — two brothers, each with their own thoughts swirling in their heads.