SPW 53

“The contract clearly states that we only need to be faithful to each other’s heat cycles, Boss.”

“I know.”

Bailey was even more confused.

“Because that fool didn’t say a word about the league schedule.”

Unlike with international matches, he hadn’t considered jet lag for league games. There was a time difference even when crossing from state to state. He had nonchalantly thought it would be fine to travel between the United States and the Commonwealth once or twice every two weeks. He hadn’t thought deeply about the league schedule.

How shameful.

As Florian’s thoughts about Sarang extended elsewhere, his blue eyes grew cold. Perhaps he still hadn’t overcome the past. Perhaps that was why he had unconsciously kept his distance from the Commonwealth.

“Just spending the heat cycles together periodically will be enough for his athletic career without any major issues, Boss.”

“Right.”

Florian glanced at Bailey and smiled.

“I’m going to check if that’s really true.”

It was the expression he wore when he was not pleased. Bailey was a little confused about the cause. Was it simply because he had missed Kim Sarang’s league game schedule, or was it because of the possibility that he might have to stay for a long time in the Commonwealth, where he had few good memories? Either way, it was enough of a reason to be displeased.

Twenty-one years ago, it was in the Commonwealth that the sole heir of the ducal family was kidnapped for three days.

It was a 30-minute drive from the airport to Canton. The mansion that had become their newlywed home was in the eastern part of Canton. However, the sedan Florian got into was heading north. As it headed north along the outer ring road, bypassing the eastern city center, the surrounding scenery changed. By the time the high-end mansions had completely turned into shabby apartments, the glittering shopping centers into run-down stores, and the bustling downtown into a slum, the black car glided into the entrance of the club grounds.

The Rhinoceros FC stadium, which boasted a 120-year history, was well-maintained, but the passage of time could not be erased. The sedan drove along the road within the club grounds and stopped in an inner parking lot. In the parking lot reserved for the lodge, Allen was leaning against a large jeep, chewing on nicotine gum.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in Cali, Boss?”

“Where’s Sarang?”

“Lodge. Room 107.”

The lodge, said to have been built 50 years after the completion of the dedicated stadium, looked like an old villa built in the middle of a farm.

“Since when?”

“Since the day the Boss got on that plane?”

Allen, who answered Florian’s question nonchalantly, grinned at Miller, who was clicking his tongue with a ‘tsk.’

“Why am I only finding this out now?”

“I thought you knew, of course, Boss.”

“…”

“Because you and Kim are a married couple.”

The relaxed atmosphere instantly became tense.

“Allen!”

The one who stepped forward before Miller was Bailey. Fortunately, Florian did not end up throwing a punch at Allen or peppering him with sincere threats like putting a bullet in him. It was almost to the point that Bailey’s intervention seemed pointless. Without even glancing at Allen, Florian strode into the lodge.

“Allen.”

“Yeah, Bail.”

Allen, who turned to look at Bailey without hiding his annoyance in the slightest, was smiling in a way that didn’t seem like a smile at all.

“Aren’t you being too rude to the Boss? Please observe some basic etiquette.”

“Well, I only learned etiquette through force.”

“Are you implying that the Boss is weaker than you, Allen?”

Allen stared blankly at Bailey, who was yapping like a puppy, then let out a short laugh. The tension, which had felt like it could snap at any moment, melted away like snow.

“The Boss and we are in different departments.”

Bailey’s face was even more crumpled. Bailey did not like the time Florian had spent with them when he was in the full vigor of his youth. If he could, he would want to shut down the PMC (Private Military Company) business that was still raking in money even at this very moment.

“What about our accommodations?”

At Miller’s question, Allen led the way.

“Don’t worry, I’ll give Bail his own room.”

At Miller’s single remark, Bailey’s face crumpled as much as it possibly could. Bailey hated that attitude of acting like they knew everything the most.

Room 107.

The number was somehow familiar.

Ah, number 17.

It was Sarang’s jersey number. He wore the same number, 17, for both the national team and his club team.

“…”

Standing in front of the door, Florian did not knock or make his presence known. The lodge was not a hotel-style building but consisted of separate units. This was because it was mostly used by players’ families for the same purposes, such as visits or heat cycles. Room 107 had one bedroom, a space Sarang could use exclusively. But from inside the door, a wave of heat and a faint scent of vanilla were flowing out.

There was a match today. Florian, who had checked the entire game schedule for this season on his way, was more puzzled than angry. Sarang definitely needed pheromones. Of course, it was unlikely that Sarang would, but he couldn’t possibly obtain another Omega’s pheromones while being married. This meant he needed Florian’s pheromones.

But why.

“I suppose Sarang no longer needs my pheromones.”

A moment from his dream flashed through his mind.

Did he misunderstand it like that? He should have asked me directly.

Tsk. Florian clicked his tongue, opened the door, and stepped inside.

The hand that touched his forehead was cool. The palm that touched Sarang was of average body temperature, but to him, who was suffering from a fever, it felt like a cool breeze. Far from pushing away the forehead that was instinctively leaning into the touch without permission, the hand gently pressed down and then caressed his cheek, giving off a cool fig scent.

“…Rian?”

Sarang, who had been curled up and resting his entire heart on the palm covering his cheek, blinked and pushed up his heavy eyelids.

“Yes, Sarang.”

“…”

His eyes, blurred from the fever, gazed up at Florian for a moment before closing weakly again.

“It must be a dream…”

“It’s not a dream, Sarang.”

“Yeah… it’s not a dream, either…”

“Why do you say it’s not a dream again, Sarang.”

“The person… I wanted to see… has never appeared…”

“…”

He had no idea of the feelings of the man who had rushed here in one go, tormented by a dream.

Florian, who had been about to pinch his flushed cheeks, held back and got onto the bed. When he offered his arm as a pillow, Sarang’s head, which had already been lying facing Florian’s direction, rolled all the way to his armpit. The situation felt like déjà vu.

“Who do you want to see, Sarang?”

“…”

“Sarang?”

“Rian…”

“…Yes, Sarang.”

“Rian… is the first.”

“The first for what.”

“The first… person… to appear… in my dream…”

“Well, this isn’t a dream.”

“…”

Florian turned completely toward Sarang, who had started to groan and suffer again, and wrapped his other arm around his back.

“There was a time when I wished it was all a dream.”

“…”

“When I was very young.”

As he slowly released his pheromones, soaking him in them, the groaning sounds gradually subsided.

“You were seventeen when we first met, right, Sarang?”

The fingers brushing through his damp hair caressed his reddened eyelids.

“When I was about ten years younger than the seventeen-year-old Sarang.”

Hee-hee, Sarang’s rough and irregular breathing gradually stabilized.

“Back then, I wished everything was a dream.”

“…”

“It was scary.”

The fingers that had been tracing his eyelids slid down along the bridge of his prominent nose and then fell along the exquisitely shaped tip of his nose.

“And sad.”

The fingers touched the red lips below the short philtrum. As the fingers touched them, his lips parted with a soft slide, and a hot breath was exhaled. The fingers, as if touching even that breath, rubbed the seam of his lips and then gently cupped his jaw.

“And angry.”

Florian slowly lowered his head, and his low whisper fell on Sarang’s lips first. Soon, their lips met, and a whimpering moan, “Eung…” escaped Sarang. Florian, smiling faintly, pushed his tongue through Sarang’s lips. Once again, Florian carefully entangled Sarang’s tongue, which followed like a baby bird, and released his pheromones. A soft vanilla scent mixed with the fragrance of figs. Strangely, when he released his pheromones for Sarang, Florian felt as if he himself was being healed.

I suppose I’ve grown fond of Sarang too. Seeing as I find myself hoping Sarang doesn’t feel that way.

“Eummm.”

Smooch, slurp. Kissing him deeply, Florian untied his necktie and unbuttoned his shirt, then properly mounted Sarang’s body. Sarang’s thick, slender legs entangled with Florian’s. Sarang’s muscles, which had been soft, hardened and tightly ensnared Florian, who was on top of him. The vanilla scent grew a little stronger.

He could clearly feel Sarang’s erection, swollen between his legs. It was large and hard. It was a presence that could not be ignored, but Florian was more focused on the kiss. He was not inclined to engage in any contact beyond hugging and kissing with the kid who was only big in size.