BAEK JEHO cried.

Well, it was a full-blown cry.

But the Alpha’s tears trickled down his cheeks quietly.

Aww.

It wasn’t like Cho Euntak enjoyed seeing Baek Jeho cry. But he knew that the Alpha cried because of happiness...

... happiness from their relationship becoming official.

How could that not make him happy?

Imagine making the Baek Jeho cry because you made him happy— my ego is getting big.

"Why are you crying?" Cho Euntak "complained" lightly. "Don’t tell me, you regret asking me to date you?"

"No, of course not!" Baek Jeho denied vehemently. "I’m just really happy that you still wanted to date me, even after all the pain I’ve made you go through."

Right?

"This is your last chance, Baek Jeho," Cho Euntak said threateningly. "I’ll dump your sorry ass if you hurt me again."

"Yes, I’ll always keep that in mind," Baek Jeho said, and then he frowned. No, he didn’t look upset. But he looked somewhat sad? "Euntak-ah, it seems like being in the army for a year really changed your vocabulary. You used to be soft-spoken. But, now, you even say words like ’ass’ without batting an eye..."

"So what? Expanding your vocabulary is a part of growing up. Are you turned off that I speak vulgar stuff now?"

"No, of course not. I’m just sad that you didn’t learn it from me."

"Crazy bastard."

"Argh. Who taught you to curse like that? Your army friends?"

Cho Euntak shook his head. "I learned it from Heedo Sunbae."

Baek Jeho shut his eyes tight while cursing under his breath. "That hyung, seriously."

"I’m often hanging out with Sohee Hyung and Sera Noona, so it’s inevitable that I’m also often around Heedo Sunbae. And, as you know, Heedo Sunbae has a bad temper and a foul mouth. I learn a thing or two from him."

"You mean, you learn bad things from that hyung."

"Well, I can’t live only hearing pretty things, you know?"

"Even so, my hate for Heedo Hyung only intensified just now."

"How can you hate your first love?"

"Yah. I only had a little crush on Heedo Hyung, back when I didn’t know better. If we’re talking about first love, then you— Cho Euntak— are my first love."

"Me? You’ve dated plenty of girls before me."

"Yes, that’s true. And I dated all of them with a sincere heart. But I never loved anyone as much as I love you, Euntak-ah."

Aigoo.

"That sounds romantic, but as the going says, actions speak louder than words," Cho Euntak said while enjoying soda float. "You know, I’ve learned something while watching Sohee Hyung and Heedo Sunbae’s relationship progress."

"I hope it’s a good thing this time. I’ll seriously scold Heedo Hyung if you picked up a bad habit from him."

"No, it’s actually a good thing. I learned that I shouldn’t settle for less. I’ve seen it, you know? I witnessed how Heedo Sunbae practically grovelled to Sohee Hyung. And, even now, Heedo Sunbae is still no match against Sohee Hyung. It’s not like Heedo Sunbae walks in eggshells around Sohee Hyung. But he’s careful, as if he knew that if he messed up again, he’d lose Sohee Hyung forever."

"Ah, I know what you’re talking about. Heedo Hyung gets restless whenever Sohee Hyung gets a little upset. Whether it’s because of him or not, he would always fix the problem, so that Sohee Hyung’s mood improves."

Cho Euntak nodded in agreement. "You should learn a thing or two from Heedo Sunbae, Baek Jeho. I’m not telling you to grovel to me because you didn’t hurt me the way Heedo Sunbae hurt Sohee Hyung in the past. But I hope you treasure me on your own way.

"Of course, I will," Baek Jeho said determinedly. "I’ll make it up to you for the rest of my life, Euntak-ah."

Good.

***

HE’S running late.

Baek Jeho started to worry when Cho Euntak didn’t return after fifteen minutes.

He got out of the car while calling his boyfriend’s phone.

After they had dinner, Cho Euntak suddenly remembered something and said he’d just buy something in a nearby store.

Baek Jeho offered to accompany him, of course.

But Cho Euntak refused and told him to just wait in the car.

He started getting restless after fifteen minutes, though.

Euntak said he’d return in less than ten minutes, so...

"Jeho-ya."

Baek Jeho turned around and saw Cho Euntak running towards him.

Oh, wow.

Baek Jeho was mesmerized by how beautiful Cho Euntak’s bright smile was.

This may sound cliché— cringe, even— but it was as if the world turned slow motion. Everyone and everything faded into the background, and Cho Euntak was the only one he could see.

And damn.

My boyfriend is so beautiful.

More beautiful than the bouquet of red roses in his hands.

Wait, what?

"Jeho-ya, here. For you," Cho Euntak said, smiling shyly while handing the bouquet of red roses to Baek Jeho. "I wasn’t able to choose the red roses because the flower shop was about to close already. It was a shame because I wanted to arrange the flowers myself. But, next time, I’ll give you a bouquet that I arranged myself, and I’ll pick each rose carefully. For now, please make do with this pre-arranged bouquet."

Baek Jeho, still stupefied, accepted the bouquet of red roses. "Thank you, Euntak-ah. But what are these flowers for?"

"A bribe?"

"Bribe?"

"As you already know, this is my first relationship, Jeho-ya," Cho Euntak said shyly, his cheeks turning pink. "Since this is my first time being someone’s boyfriend, it’s inevitable for me to make mistakes. And you’ll have to teach me a lot of things from now on. Giving you those flowers is me telling you to please be extra patient with me. If I say or do something wrong, if I hurt you in any way, please tell me right away, and I’ll fix it. I really want our relationship to last, Jeho-ya. But since I’m inexperienced, I need to rely on you a lot."

Baek Jeho was overwhelmed.

Of course, he had always known that Cho Euntak was inexperienced— both in the dating and sexual department.

But only then did it fully occur to him what it meant.

Ah, I have to be extra careful and extra gentle with Euntak.

Baek Jeho, who had already made a resolve to treasure Cho Euntak with everything he had, suddenly became more determined.

I can’t afford to lose this precious person.

"You didn’t have to bribe me, you know? Euntak-ah, just because I have more experience than you don’t mean I’ll lead the relationship. Of course, I’ll teach and guide you if needed. But you can also take the lead. After all, I’m sure there are many things that I’ll learn with you along the way. So, what I’m saying is, let’s take care of each other from now on."

Cho Euntak beamed, then he smiled and nodded. "Okay. Let’s take care of each other."

How cute.

Baek Jeho smiled, and then he put an arm around Cho Euntak while his other arm carefully secured the bouquet of red roses. "I really, really like you, Euntak-ah."

And then Baek Jeho placed a soft kiss on Cho Euntak’s forehead.

Let’s take it slow.

***

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