What did I do wrong?

Growing up, Chin-hwa was known to be a stubborn child. Not bad stubborn, but the good kind, if such a thing exists.

He never compromised towards anything that was not in his favor. He was sweet and kind, yes, but at the same time, he was rather... 'toxic'.

A strong word, right? But what else to call a child who knew how to be selfish and utilize the care and affection people had for him for his own gain?

He was strong-minded. Yes, that fits the bill just right. But at the same time, he was extremely simple-minded. It was a simple contradiction but that was just how he was.

He was always depending on everyone else to take care of his problems and leave the world to worry for itself, as he was taught.

Hae-won spoiled his child very well. Though he taught him to adhere to what was right at all times, he did not let Chin-hwa do anything for himself.

When Chin-hwa was four years old, he was a very bright child. So bright that he got straight A's and excelled in sports. But he only ever cared about Byul who was always next to him.

He never took a competition lightly because he wanted to shine the most. At least, so Byul could praise him and give him a nice little pat on the head.

One could say his excellence was a result of his desire to be recognized and complimented by Byul and his parents.

When the other kids got jealous and started to pick on him, he did not hesitate to tell the teachers and even when they threatened him, he took those threats to the principal, explaining everything with a straight face.

He got those kids in trouble but he did not care. Rather, because of this, Byul did not leave his side for a single moment, so that he wouldn't end up getting bullied in his absence.

Chin-hwa was a simple child but sometimes, he took things too far for his own gain. And being someone who everyone would back up, who everyone would help, he was extremely entitled.

Well, at least he did not push his weight around.

All he had was that simple wish and that was to be by his Byul's side forever.

Yet, all that came crashing down when his star decided to leave his side.

Chin-hwa changed.

He didn't leave his room for a while and when he did, his glow had dimmed. He saw no need to be in the spotlight anymore as it had become a nuisance without that one person to be by his side and praise him.

He decided to hide his excellence and his cuteness, which got everyone surrounding him like flies.

He wore dark-themed outfits, wore a beanie that covered his forehead, and kept his smile to an average point. He watched everything he did with caution and decided if he lived like that, the world would be so peaceful.

But how long could he lie to himself?

Even when he told himself he was mad at Byul for doing that to him, for leaving him, he could not help missing him. He would take the scarf Byul had left him, the very one he wore daily till he decided to hand it to him.

The scarf slowly lost the sweet summer pheromones Byul often secreted subconsciously and was being replaced by his.

He hated it. He hated that he was slowly starting to forget how Byul smelled like.

He hated that Byul left him, yet he couldn't help but cry when he thought back to the days they spent together.

They had spent their whole lives together so not having him around was very hard and painful and... He just wanted to see him again.

'What did I do wrong?' Chin-hwa muttered, a drop of tears rolling down his left eye as he slept in the tub.

Kang-woo walked in after waiting for almost half an hour, only to find Chin-hwa sleeping in the tub. He should've expected that but he wanted to give him some privacy.

He heard Chin-hwa's mutter and closed his eyes, clenching his fists. He could hear the hurt in Chin-hwa's mutter and the teardrop that slid down...

Kang-woo went on one knee by the bathtub and held Chin-hwa's hand.

He slowly and softly kissed it before pressing his forehead on it.

"I'm sorry." He whispered. "I'm so sorry. I just... Didn't want you to worry. I didn't want you to get hurt about the truth. If you knew," he paused his words, guilt flowing through his eyes and overshadowing his expression.

He gripped Chin-hwa's hand tightly.

"Will you forgive me?" He raised his head and took his hand to Chin-hwa's face, brushing the tear aside and softly caressing his face.

He leaned closer and, though hesitant, planted his lips softly on Chin-hwa. He brushed their lips together before pressing down slowly.

That was it. He didn't want to go further than pressing lips together so he moved his head back and pressed his face on Chin-hwa's neck, sniffing in his pheromones. The scent he had missed all the while he was away from him.

God knows just how hard he had to stop himself from picking up his phone and calling Chin-hwa just to hear his voice, listen to him ramble about how his day went, and make plans on what to do the next day.

"Just this one time. I promise I'll never keep anything from you again."

Kang-woo carried Chin-hwa out of the bathtub, picked up the towel on his way out of the bathroom, and spread it on him to avoid glancing at his body.

He placed him on the bed and without looking, wore him a shirt and underwear. The ones he had stored in his wardrobe for times when Chin-hwa may want to sleep over.

Yes, he was well prepared.

He watched Chin-hwa sleep peacefully and stroked his hair, earning a light moan from Chin-hwa who was very fond of his strokes.

He let out a light chuckle but ended up wrapping Chin-hwa with the blanket. He couldn't trust himself at this point.

He turned up the air conditioner so Chin-hwa would not feel too hot and then hugged him, pressing his head to his chest.

His heart raced. How long had it been since they slept in the same bed like that?

It felt like ages. It felt like... They were back to the good old days. Only, he had a strong desire for Chin-hwa that he was working hard on.

He didn't want to burden Chin-hwa with his own selfish feelings, so he would allow him to live his life however he wanted. And if he found an Alpha he liked, then... He gritted his teeth... He would give his blessings.

But for now, he wanted to enjoy the peace.