Dirty Switch

“It’s not because of what Father said earlier. I’ve been thinking about this ever since I saw your test results. We’ve already agreed to have separate partners, so wouldn’t it be better if those partners were people we could trust?”
…Is this some kind of final test or something?
Was it because I seemed like I still had feelings for him? Because it was obvious I still liked him?

Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense. Who introduces a sex partner to their fiancé instead of a friend?
“You seem to have a somewhat impulsive nature, so I’m just asking to be sure.”
Seo Baekhan folded his fingers one by one, counting off a few events.

Transferring to Pyongyang University, which was minor. Getting curious about sex and taking Dirty Switch, which was bigger. And then proposing to him to solve it all… the biggest.
“Regardless of how this started, I chose you as my spouse. From now on, your issues aren’t just yours anymore.”
It wasn’t some roundabout way to test him. Seo Baekhan was completely sincere. He truly wanted this marriage to succeed, and it was a suggestion made out of concern for his young partner, who he assumed had been sleeping around with bodyguards while possibly taking suspicious drugs.

“Until now, I haven’t interfered because it didn’t seem like a problem. But… if this continues after marriage, don’t you think it might be an issue?”
So he was advising Taehyun to reduce the drug use and have sexual encounters only with someone in his orbit—someone Baekhan could monitor at any time.
Seo Baekhan’s proposal was rational, and very much in character.

It was the kind of solution that maximized efficiency with minimal effort—of course someone like him would suggest it.
“Of course, I’m not forcing you.”
Catching a glance at Joo Taehyun’s frozen face, still unable to respond, Baekhan let out a long sigh through his nose and closed the half-open window. Only after the wind, which had been sweeping through the open space, finally stopped did Taehyun realize he’d been lightly trembling.

“…Hey, hyung. I—”
“There’s someone who’s shown interest in you, so I casually asked. If you’re not interested, forget it.”
Maybe the wind had dissipated things enough, but the pheromones that had once tangled wildly in the air no longer felt as provocative.

Just like Baekhan had done moments earlier, Taehyun closed his eyes and then opened them again. Maybe it was thanks to the lingering peach scent, but the trembling gradually faded.
A sex partner, introduced directly by the person you like—your fiancé, no less. Even thinking about it again, it was shocking. But then again, maybe it was only possible because they’d grown a little closer. The fact that they could now bring up such awkward topics comfortably—maybe it meant they’d taken a step forward.
“Yes. Thank you for thinking of me. But I’m actually seeing someone right now.”
Of course, that was a lie.

And if Seo Baekhan ever brought up the same offer again, Taehyun wasn’t sure he could pretend to be unfazed a second time. It was better to shut this down completely now. He rubbed his arm like he was cold and tilted his head slightly.
“We’re not officially dating yet, but I think we’re headed that way.”
“Is it Cheon Seungpil, by any chance?”

“…What?”
“That grandson of the Yunra Foundation. You two seemed to hang out a lot in the U.S.”
Who? Cheon Seungpil?

The name came so wildly out of nowhere that Taehyun could only touch his forehead, speechless.
Seriously? I told him I used to like him. So he should know I have high standards. Like hell I’d mess around with someone like Cheon Seungpil.
“Hyung, I… Seungpil’s exactly the kind of guy I hate. And I’m only into Alphas. Always have been. Male, Alpha.”

“So if it’s about penetrative sex—”
“No! I mean… how should I put it… Yeah, it’s the Alpha pheromones. That’s what I like!”
Cheon Seungpil… Still in a daze from the shock, Taehyun just started blurting out nonsense. To hear Baekhan of all people suggest he was dating Cheon Seungpil—it drove him over the edge.

“It’s true that when I’m around Alphas rather than Omegas, their pheromones feel more aggressive. Like my body instinctively rejects same-type pheromones? But I like that. That’s what appeals to me.”
“Mmh.”
“Betas or Omegas are just… bland, I guess? I like something sharper. And also… yeah. Alphas can knot. That’s right, knotting.”

What am I even saying?
Taehyun silently begged that Baekhan had been right about his pheromones not fluctuating much. He hoped his eyes weren’t red. He hoped he looked like he always did—moody, maybe a little sulky.
“I’m taller and bigger than most people my age. So knotting… it goes deeper, it feels better… something like that.”

His mouth kept running without passing through his brain. He seriously considered shutting it with his own hand. Even worse, that dirty talk had come from one of Baekhan’s hallucinations after taking Dirty Switch.
“So yeah. I like Alphas.”
“Hm. If that’s the kind of sex you enjoy, then you’ll have to be even more careful moving forward… Got it. I understand.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Baekhan said with a curt nod.
If he’d clicked his tongue and said, What a weird kid you are, maybe Taehyun wouldn’t have felt so mortified. But instead, Baekhan simply acted like he’d now perfectly understood what kind of sex his young spouse liked.
“But then, if it’s not Seungpil, who’s this guy you’re seeing… Ah, you mean someone from the lab? Was he an Alpha?”

“Ah, yeah.”
Taehyun had no idea who Baekhan meant, but as soon as he left, Taehyun decided he’d recruit an Alpha—any Alpha—from the lab. He could always invite them over under the pretense of finishing a study or handover before returning home.
“Seriously. I never thought I’d live to hear Joo Taehyun’s sex preferences.”

Baekhan chuckled as he stood.
“Let’s head down. The elders are probably wondering.”
“…Yeah.”

It felt like a lie that just moments ago, he’d been excited to think he’d finally been recognized as Baekhan’s real partner. Well, in some ways, this too was a form of respect—an acknowledgment of them as a married couple.
Taehyun bit down on his lower lip out of habit, then quickly straightened his face when he remembered Baekhan had told him not to.
Baekhan hadn’t just mentioned a sex partner—he’d asked if Taehyun was dating Cheon Seungpil, for god’s sake. And Taehyun had probably rambled on with no filter, saying things he should and shouldn’t have said.

Still, still…
Now Baekhan was aware of his pheromones.
He’d gotten close enough to hear Baekhan say I never thought I’d live to hear Joo Taehyun’s sex preferences.

“…Hyung.”
“Mm?”
“You should dry your hair before we go down.”

So Taehyun decided to be brave.
“It’s still wet.”
He reached out and gently touched Baekhan’s damp hair, then let go.

It wasn’t malicious, but it was a small rebellion against the man who’d dared to bring up sex partners. And a little childish revenge for feeling hurt—he wanted something in return, even just a little.
Maybe he just wanted Baekhan to let him get this close. Maybe he wanted to see him flustered after hearing such a perverted confession about loving sex with Alphas.
“Mm, really?”

But Baekhan casually brushed his hair back like it was nothing, and Taehyun’s hand naturally dropped away.
Was that a polite rejection—don’t touch me? Or was he simply comfortable enough to allow this level of closeness?
“I’m going to the bathroom. Wait a bit.”

Baekhan, now familiar with the layout, confidently walked off alone the way they’d come. Even though it was technically Taehyun’s space, he was the one left standing, staring at Baekhan’s retreating back. Like always.
A sex partner…
Would it have hurt less if he’d said he had someone of his own?

Taehyun tried to shake off the gloom creeping over him.
He’d lied because he wanted to keep Baekhan close. No one had told him to do that. Feeling upset now was laughable.
Straightening his sagging shoulders, Taehyun forced himself to focus on the positive.

At the very least, he’d gotten one step closer to Baekhan. If he kept going like this—step by step—maybe things would eventually change.
He didn’t expect Baekhan to return his feelings. But if they could just be honest with each other, be each other’s most trusted companion, that would be enough.
After all, they were getting married.

And once they started living together, a lot would change.
Just like how so much had happened in the course of one night.