The Muse

“Late-stage adolescence.”Muttering to himself, Sihoo slowly stepped forward. Each time his shoes crushed the snow beneath them, he felt as if his body were floating. The thrill of it, something he hadn’t experienced in a while, made him chuckle briefly.‘Not like I’m some twenty-year-old kid.’The sight of himself giggling drunkenly was absurd. As he walked, Sihoo became lost in thought. How could he change this state—the soggy, soaked condition, as if he were a waterlogged sponge? His inability to control his emotions right now irritated him. The idea that he might appear similarly pathetic at work set his nerves on edge.He needed a solution.But what kind?“Be careful.”It was when his shoes slipped slightly on an icy patch of pavement. A voice, unexpected, brushed against his ears. Sihoo was more startled by the voice than by his loss of balance. Still, he maintained a dry expression as he turned his head.“You might slip.”The person following him turned out to be none other than Yejun. Casually stepping to Sihoo’s side, Yejun grabbed his arm. Though his grip was as light as a feather, it left a peculiar tingling sensation.“What are you doing?”Sihoo asked, and Yejun blinked his long eyelashes slowly. Despite the cold air, his cheeks and lips were full of vitality, as if he were a boy basking under the summer sun rather than in the heart of winter.I like it. With this positive impression, Sihoo’s gaze hovering over Yejun’s face softened noticeably. He leaned slightly toward the hand gripping his arm. When their shoulders touched, it was an unmistakably deliberate move on Sihoo’s part.“I’m curious why you’re here.”“…It’s the end of my shift.”“Hmm.”“I came outside, and I saw you.”The way Yejun’s lips formed the word “hyung” was adorable. There weren’t many people who used that term for Sihoo. Caught in a faintly electric feeling that he didn’t typically experience, Sihoo asked, “You saw me?”“…Yes.”Yejun’s hand tightened around Sihoo’s arm. Though he spoke calmly, it was obvious he was quite nervous. Sihoo let out a long breath, a “hoo.” The alcohol made his head feel muddled and his body sluggish. With half-lidded eyes, he lowered his head toward Yejun.Thunk.Something firm as a rock touched his forehead. It didn’t take long for Sihoo to realize it was Yejun’s shoulder. A bubbling desire rose in his mind.For once, now that he was drunk, perhaps he could indulge in a bit of mischief. Sihoo decided to act on an impulse more befitting his twenties. He lifted his head and brought his nose to Yejun’s neck.“Ah.”The soft gasp from Yejun sent a thrill through him. Sihoo raised his head and stared directly into Yejun’s eyes.“As I thought.”Murmuring lazily, Sihoo leaned even closer.“You must really be a beta since you don’t notice anything.”“What…”Yejun’s lips moved faintly as he spoke, his voice resonant. Slowly closing his eyes, Sihoo continued.“My pheromones.”“…”“My pheromones are no joke right now. If you were an alpha, you’d feel uncomfortable. If you were an omega…”His voice dropped an octave, becoming a whisper.“You definitely wouldn’t be reacting like this.”It was a candid confession. His dense pheromones had been persistently enveloping Yejun’s neck, pressing against his Adam’s apple and grazing his skin, expressing raw sexual desire. Yet, as a beta, Yejun didn’t seem to feel anything, only staring wide-eyed in response.A kid immune to pheromones. This was a novelty. Normally, Sihoo didn’t feel any sexual attraction toward betas, so this was unusual.Now, Sihoo’s gaze trailed down from Yejun’s lips to his sharp chin and the neckline descending below. Yejun’s Adam’s apple twitched under his openly appraising eyes.Feeling a chill run down his back at the honest reaction, Sihoo moved his free arm. His pale, long fingers wrapped around Yejun’s wrist.“This way.”Though visibly flustered, Yejun obediently followed behind Sihoo. Thanks to that, Sihoo was able to lead him into a dark alleyway wedged between two buildings.The narrow passage was shrouded in darkness. The ground was littered with unmelted snow, cigarette butts, and trash scattered haphazardly.Sihoo kicked aside an empty can with irritation. If it weren’t for the sudden surge of excitement, he would never have stepped into such a filthy place.Wrinkling his nose at the mess, Sihoo let out a sigh.“I keep doing things I wouldn’t normally do today.”“Things you wouldn’t normally do?”“Don’t you know why I brought you here?”Instead of answering Yejun’s question, Sihoo stepped closer until he was at Yejun’s feet and leaned in. He brought his nose near Yejun’s neck, but aside from a faint scent of skin lotion, there was no discernible smell.So he really is a beta. Confirming this once again, Sihoo lifted his head.“If you don’t get it, you might as well leave.”“…”“I’m not into idiots.”Yejun stood there, stunned, his face a mix of surprise. Watching him freeze up like a statue, Sihoo pressed his index finger against Yejun’s chest. Even that featherlight touch made Yejun’s upper body jerk as if he’d been pricked.In the tense silence filled with nervousness, Yejun seemed to have forgotten how to breathe. Observing his trembling eyes, Sihoo was certain that Yejun was running through all sorts of scenarios in his head. With the finger resting on Yejun’s chest, Sihoo lightly pushed him with the other hand.Thud.Yejun stumbled back. Sihoo didn’t give the startled Yejun any reprieve and kept pressing forward. Before long, Yejun found himself backed against the cold wall of the building. His round, brown eyes shimmered with a mix of emotions.Among them, Sihoo easily identified the glimmer of “realization.” Seeing such a raw and youthful reaction brought a smile to his face.“Yeah, you should catch on.”Whispering as if in praise, Sihoo noticed Yejun’s eyelids tremble. Yejun raised a large hand to ruffle his hair but didn’t push Sihoo away.“What’s got you so shocked? First time experiencing arousal outside?”“…”“Well, being a beta, that might be possible.”At the word “arousal,” Yejun frowned but eventually lowered his hand.“Are you an alpha? Or an omega?”“Alpha.”Sihoo replied nonchalantly, letting his gaze roam over Yejun from head to toe. Leaning against the wall, Yejun was an exceptionally handsome man. His build, larger even than Sihoo’s as a dominant alpha, was striking, and his upright, kind features carried a clear and pure impression.“Too underdone. Can I even take a bite?”Doubts surfaced momentarily but quickly faded. He wasn’t in a state to think rationally, not when he was enjoying the rare experience of being tipsy.As he stepped half a pace closer, Sihoo grabbed Yejun’s chin. The skin beneath his palm was warm, flushed from the winter chill.“You’ve kissed someone before, right?”Yejun’s lips parted slightly. In response to the silence instead of an answer, Sihoo raised one eyebrow. The look he shot Yejun practically said, “Not even that?” Yejun’s face reddened rapidly.Never kissed? So this guy, who hasn’t even brushed lips with anyone, managed to follow me here.“…A first kiss is a bit much.”Surprisingly, Yejun, who had been frozen in shock, asked quietly.“Why?”His deep voice carried a faint trace of frustration. He seemed annoyed at being treated like a novice.“It gets heavy.”“…”“I prefer to keep things light.”As Sihoo finished speaking, he tried to withdraw the hand holding Yejun’s chin. However, an unexpected situation unfolded. Just as he was about to step back, Yejun grabbed his wrist and moved closer. The distance between them narrowed to the point where their shadows overlapped.“You’re stopping now, after bringing me this far?”Yejun’s voice was quiet, but his demeanor had changed. Gone was the flustered blush and gentle smile from earlier. His face, now expressionless, radiated a completely different aura, sharp as a blade. While pressing down on Sihoo’s hand, which had gone cold, Yejun began kneading it.Squeeze, squeeze.Each deliberate press of his warm touch reignited the heat that Sihoo had tried to quell. As the heat surged through him once more, Yejun guided Sihoo’s hand to his own cheek. His skin was as smooth as a peeled egg.“Teach me.”“…”“A kiss.”Sihoo shifted his gaze to Yejun’s hand gripping his own. The hooked fingers were firmly holding on.“I won’t think of it as anything serious.”“You won’t think of it seriously?”“Yes.”“…”“So, show me… lightly.”Sihoo let out a silent laugh. Yejun had said exactly what he wanted to hear.Yes, what I’m looking for is a diversion. Not the responsibility or aftermath of something like a first kiss.Sihoo raised his free hand and brushed Yejun’s lower lip with his thumb. The faintly trembling flesh was soft. Despite the sharp set of his eyes, this part of him was tender, like ripe fruit.As Sihoo gently rubbed, Yejun let out a small “Ah,” parting his lips slightly. That simple reaction to being touched there sent a thrill through Sihoo.“You’re not completely clueless, I see.”In a flat voice, Sihoo remarked, then closed the gap between their lips before Yejun could respond. Yejun’s body stiffened immediately, as though in shock.Relax.Sihoo tapped Yejun’s shoulder with his fingers, signaling him to loosen up. With his long, dark lashes lowered, Sihoo savored the kiss. Unlike the icy winter air, the warmth of Yejun’s lips felt incredibly satisfying. Pressing his body lightly against Yejun’s, Sihoo deepened the kiss.“Mm.”This time, it was Sihoo who let out a sound, similar to a purr of a contented cat. He hadn’t expected something as simple as touching lips to be this electrifying. It made him feel like he had returned to a time when his desires were uncontrollable, bringing a faint smile to his face.Maybe I’ve been pent up.He couldn’t even clearly remember the last time he had sex. Only vague impressions of primal, pheromone-fueled entanglements came to mind.At that moment, Yejun pushed him away, interrupting the moment. Sihoo frowned as he swallowed the lingering taste of their kiss. He opened his eyes to see Yejun gasping for breath.“J-just a second,” Yejun stammered between ragged breaths. With his head lowered and shoulders trembling, his face was as red as a tomato. His obvious arousal darkened Sihoo’s gaze.So inexperienced. He’s definitely a virgin. The thought amused Sihoo. He muttered under his breath, “Hah.”“Not exactly my type, though.”The memory of his past partners surfaced only after their lips met. They had all been smaller omegas, much more petite than Sihoo. Holding their slender waists and inhaling their pheromones during sex had been a pleasurable experience. The unique scent of omegas had an undeniable allure for an alpha.Unlike those past partners, Yejun was an ordinary beta. There were no pheromones to heighten Sihoo’s senses or stoke his desires. On top of that, Yejun’s broad shoulders and thick thighs were a far cry from Sihoo’s usual physical preferences, as he was even taller than Sihoo.“Hm…”Then why, from the moment they first met until now, had Sihoo found himself so drawn to him? He murmured, “How strange,” before firmly pushing Yejun away. Yejun, who had been trying to catch his breath, stumbled back and hit the wall.“Sorry.”Sihoo offered a casual apology before pressing their lips together again. Unlike the first kiss, which had been slow and deliberate, the second was rough. Sihoo didn’t hold back, sucking on Yejun’s soft lips without hesitation as he extended his long leg forward. The expensive suit-clad leg pressed against Yejun’s groin.Yejun, seemingly startled, opened his mouth wider. Sihoo immediately slid his tongue inside, confidently exploring the hidden texture with the tip of his tongue. The hot, slick interior was indescribably soft. He lingered in places no one else had ventured, his tongue moving deliberately as his hands roamed.Swish.Sihoo’s hands brushed over Yejun’s body, frozen like a stone. Pressing his palm against Yejun’s heaving chest, he let it glide upward, caressing his neck and jawline. Despite all this, the kiss showed no signs of stopping. Their tongues intertwined, parting momentarily with wet sounds.“Ah.”Sihoo was the first to pull back, needing a moment to catch his breath. Before he could steady his uneven breathing, Yejun grabbed his waist with both hands, the grip firm enough to be felt even through a thick winter coat.Without hesitation, Yejun pulled Sihoo closer.“What are you doing…”Before he could finish asking, Yejun’s tongue brushed against his lower lip. Unlike Sihoo’s adept movements, Yejun’s were awkward. Yet, the moment that tongue grazed his skin, a wave of intense pleasure he’d never experienced before surged through him.Caught off guard, Sihoo’s legs buckled as he was teasing Yejun’s waist. The sensation was fresh, spreading through his body and seeping into his bones. It was merely a lick on the lips, yet it left him trembling as if he were in a rut.“Feels good.”More than he expected, much more.Half-lidded, Sihoo watched Yejun. Eyes tightly shut, Yejun’s face was flushed as he licked Sihoo’s lips. Instead of laughing, Sihoo tilted his head and parted his lips. He gently sucked on Yejun’s exploring tongue.“!”As soon as Sihoo playfully sucked on it, Yejun flinched violently like a fish pulled from water. Amid the mixture of excitement and tension, their gazes met. Heavy, erratic breaths filled the air, brushing sharply against each other’s ears.“How was it?”The question, laden with damp breath and sticky warmth, came in a languid but clear tone. Sihoo wiped his lower lip with his hand as he added, “Learned something?”“Not sure.”Yejun answered honestly but suddenly smiled. The tension and surprise vanished, replaced by growing joy. His crescent-shaped eyes and dimples deepened as he threw out an unexpected remark.“I think I’d understand better if we tried again.”Well, look at that. Caught off guard, Sihoo laughed uncontrollably, his head tilting to the side.“Haha,” he chuckled. It was strange. The pressure weighing down on his chest lately had disappeared without a trace. Relieved for reasons unknown, Sihoo grinned broadly.“You’re quite bold, Yejun.”Hearing his name, Yejun’s brown eyes lit up.“Fine, let’s do it again. I hope… you learn something this time—”“I hope you learn something, so teaching feels worthwhile.” Sihoo was about to make the playful remark when his back abruptly hit the wall. Thud. The friction rang sharply in his ears.Surprised, Sihoo looked at Yejun, his questioning gaze soon replaced with astonishment.Yejun panted heavily as though he’d been running. His slightly quivering lips betrayed his excitement.Confronted with Yejun’s expression, Sihoo thought of a dog in heat—a large, wild male dog desperate to mount someone.The next moment, Yejun pressed closer, gripping Sihoo’s cheeks with both hands. Without hesitation, he captured Sihoo’s lips. Sihoo’s fingers twitched as Yejun continued kissing, melding his soft lips with Sihoo’s and stoking his excitement.As he felt Yejun’s lips dampen against his own, Sihoo slowly relaxed. Letting Yejun do as he pleased, he soon felt a tongue boldly lick his lower lip. For a first kiss, Yejun’s actions were remarkably audacious.When Sihoo opened his mouth, the tongue entered. Scorching hot, it explored slowly yet confidently, touching everywhere it could. By then, even Sihoo’s nerves, which had remained composed, began to unravel. The act of probing, tangling tongues, and exchanging saliva was deeply and intensely sensual.“Wait, hmm…”Sihoo, short of oxygen, pulled back his lips first and exhaled deeply. Before he could steady his erratic breathing, Yejun pressed their lips together again. Then, with the tip of his tongue slightly raised, he dragged it along the roof of Sihoo’s mouth. The sensitive touch sent bubbling sensations through Sihoo’s mind, like effervescent foam.Sihoo grabbed Yejun’s wrists, which were holding his face. His grip was firm and unyielding, but Yejun refused to end the kiss. Instead, he repeated the same act that had just excited Sihoo moments earlier.“!”A curse shot violently up Sihoo’s throat but was swallowed entirely by Yejun. Sihoo could say nothing, even when he dug his nails into Yejun’s skin out of frustration. Yejun opened his eyes and observed Sihoo, clearly intent on discerning whether Sihoo enjoyed having the roof of his mouth teased.Under the unwavering gaze inspecting his face, Sihoo furrowed his brow. Yejun continued to stroke the roof of his mouth with his tongue, maintaining eye contact.‘What is this?’When had Yejun gone from blushing like an innocent to confidently exploring his partner’s sensitivity? Was his claim of it being his first kiss a lie? Or was he just a fast learner? Sihoo didn’t want to admit it, but his underwear was already damp, the result of unwanted stimulation he couldn’t suppress.He grabbed Yejun’s head and yanked it backward. This time, Yejun obediently stopped the kiss and exposed his throat. In the midst of a violent urge to bite that long neck, Sihoo asked a question that had been nagging at him.“You said it was your first kiss. Was that a lie?”Still held by his hair, Yejun stared at the ceiling instead of meeting Sihoo’s eyes. Meanwhile, his fingers gently traced the contours of Sihoo’s cheeks. His touch felt excessively warm against Sihoo’s skin.“It really is my first.”There was a faint chuckle in Yejun’s voice as he answered. Sihoo couldn’t understand why Yejun sounded so amused when his hair was being grabbed. While Sihoo frowned in confusion, Yejun’s next words infiltrated his ears.“Judging by what you’re saying, I must’ve done pretty well.”At that, Sihoo released Yejun’s hair. Yejun’s brown locks fluffed up in the air, as though catching the wind.“Don’t flatter yourself. It wasn’t that good.”Sihoo’s voice was unexpectedly calm, belying the heated kiss they had just shared. While it was impressive that Yejun had figured out that the roof of Sihoo’s mouth was sensitive, his technique still had an undeniable clumsiness to it.As that thought crossed his mind, another part of him taunted Sihoo internally.‘And yet you got so worked up that your underwear is soaked. What’s up with that?’While Sihoo was lost in thought, Yejun’s lips approached his cheek. Soft flesh trailed down his face, drawing a line toward his neck. Sihoo let out a small groan and tilted his head slightly, reflexively baring his nape. The touch of Yejun’s lips there sent electric tingles down his spine.“Ah.”Yejun let out a soft exclamation, then murmured as though coming to a realization.“So, you’re sensitive here too.”Sihoo let out a dry laugh.“The roof of my mouth, my neck… What else are you going to find?”“Shouldn’t you be the one telling me?”“….”Lips that had been grazing his neck suddenly moved toward his ear. For someone who claimed to know nothing, Yejun was surprisingly forward with his touches. Sihoo hadn’t expected him to target his ears, causing his shoulders to stiffen involuntarily.“Then I’ll find out for myself.”Warm breaths brushed against Sihoo’s earlobe, stimulating him further. He tried to pull away, but Yejun’s lips were faster, landing lightly against his ear. At this rate, it felt like Yejun’s tongue might venture into his ear canal, making Sihoo’s nerves stand on end.“Don’t touch there.”“Why not? You’re sensitive here too—”Before Yejun could finish speaking, Sihoo grabbed his chin with one hand. He then pressed their lips together roughly, sucking on Yejun’s tongue as if to draw it out entirely. It wasn’t just playful—Sihoo felt it necessary to put Yejun in his place.Just then, an unfamiliar scent wafted to Sihoo’s nose. His black pupils narrowed under long lashes as he stopped the intense kiss and focused on the strange aroma.‘A scent?’Sihoo pulled away, leaving Yejun gasping for air, and leaned toward his partner’s face. He got close enough to discern the faintest details: the look in Yejun’s eyes when aroused, the subtle movement of his wet lips, and even the peculiar fragrance emanating from him.“….”“Hyung?”Though Sihoo leaned close to uncover the source of his curiosity, he found nothing. The faint scent had disappeared entirely, leaving behind only a chilling silence and Yejun’s puzzled whisper.“What’s wrong?”“Was it just my imagination?”At those words, Yejun slowly closed and then opened his eyes. Sihoo, reading the confusion in his expression, shook his head. A few strands of hair atop his forehead swayed gently.“No, it’s nothing.”“Your eyes looked like they were searching for something.”“Mine?”“Yes.”Responding that way, Yejun raised his hand and mirrored Sihoo, cupping his cheek. Despite having been exposed to the cold of midwinter for a long time, his touch radiated surprising warmth.A faint smile flickered across Sihoo’s lips and quickly disappeared. The boy, unbothered by the fact that he was visibly aroused, was undoubtedly a Beta. Even though his body was clearly burning up, not a hint of pheromone scent suggesting he wanted anything from Sihoo was detectable.So, it really was just a mistake. It seemed the lingering effects of alcohol were blurring the line between dreams and reality. Having come to his own conclusion, Sihoo kissed Yejun again. A soft “Mmm” escaped Yejun’s lips, resonating quietly in Sihoo’s ears.As the kiss deepened, a shiver ran down Sihoo’s spine. He could feel the remaining traces of intoxication surging to the top of his head as he moved his tongue however he pleased. He thought there was nothing wrong with letting time drift by like this when a large, firm hand slid around his waist for support.Immersed in the kiss, the corners of Sihoo’s mouth curved upward. He willingly allowed his waist to be held, opening his mouth wider in response. The soft sensation pressing against his tongue was almost unbearably warm, sending a tingling sensation up his scalp as if his hair was standing on end.‘He’s good.’An eagerness to teach him arose. With that thought, Sihoo closed his eyes completely. Darkness climbed up from his toes and enveloped him entirely.