Dirty Switch

“Ah, that…”
Even after stepping into the elevator that had just arrived, Joo Taehyun remained frozen in place.
What the hell?

Seo Baekhan leaned slightly forward to press the “Open” button, staring directly at the motionless figure.
He was just about to use the lack of movement as an excuse to leave Taehyun behind, but unfortunately, Taehyun seemed to snap out of it and stepped in quickly. His murmured apology sounded more deflated than before.
…Seriously, what was that?

Baekhan frowned slightly. The quietness in Taehyun, which he’d once found reassuring, was beginning to feel irritating. A guy who takes the Switch because he likes sleeping with other Alphas—there’s no way he’s embarrassed about the word “sex partner.” …Or did he really not expect to be asked about his own partners? Is he upset I brought up his private life?
“Joo Taehyun.”
“Yes?”

“I don’t think the fact that you like me is a reason to lower yourself in front of me.”
“Ah… wait, hyung. I never said that! I-I don’t like you. That was all in the past—”
“Sure. Let’s go with that.”

Baekhan kept his gaze fixed stubbornly ahead. Not that it mattered—since the elevator walls were mirrored on all sides, he could still clearly see the stunned look on Taehyun’s face behind him. Standing exactly half a step back, Taehyun opened and closed his mouth a few times as if wanting to respond, but eventually just clamped his lips shut.
“Even if we were to get married, I wouldn’t care if you had other partners—as long as it’s kept clean. Moderate sex helps with heat management.”
“…”

“That’s why I’m asking. I need to know what kind of level your partner’s at. Are you just hooking up with someone different each time? Do you have a regular? Do you pay them? If so, what’s the scale of that?”
“…”
“You don’t need to feel ashamed or small for talking about that in front of me.”

In the reflection fragmented across the mirrors, one of the many scattered images of Joo Taehyun locked eyes with Baekhan. It was like watching a video in slow motion—he could clearly see every stage of Taehyun’s changing expression.
The way he bit his lip. The tension in his jaw. The steeling of his expression, the way his eyes firmed into resolution.
It was, honestly… fascinating.
This time, Baekhan definitely gave him extra points. Unlike earlier when he was unable to contain his ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) excitement and nerves, this version of Taehyun looked like someone who had learned to control his emotions completely.

“The reason I started to even slightly consider your proposal was because the way you acted earlier lined up with the kind of demeanor I expect from a partner.”
“…”
“You still seem to like me, but you still denied it. Instead of pushing your feelings, you brought up rational reasons for marriage so I could understand the situation. And you kept your expression in check. All of that—I didn’t dislike it.”

Even if the reasons he gave were just excuses to cover up his feelings for Baekhan, they were reasonable enough.
And if it was that he prioritized his own situation over his feelings—despite liking Baekhan—then that was even better. Frankly, Baekhan preferred that scenario. Someone who had quietly pined for a long time and was still willing to marry someone who would never return their affection, all for the sake of favorable conditions? That kind of ambition? Very welcome.
“Yeah, that face. The kind I’ve seen sometimes in articles. I like it when you look like that.”

Was it because he was young? His skin was soft and warm, but his expression was frozen like ice. Baekhan gently tapped his cheek, not hard enough to hurt. And as soon as his hand touched, the stiff lines around Taehyun’s mouth loosened slightly, making him look far better.
Joo Taehyun stood still, silently accepting the touch. Only belatedly did he start to fumble with his own face, as if trying to memorize exactly how he looked in the moment Baekhan praised him.
“Oh, and when you write up your partner profile, include what type of Switch you’ve been using. It’s not a Dirty variant, is it?”

Right then, the elevator arrived on the first floor. Stepping out before the slower-moving Taehyun, Baekhan noticed something odd: there were no footsteps behind him. It was strange—even if Taehyun walked lightly, like an aristocrat, it shouldn’t be this quiet. He turned back and saw Taehyun still standing frozen in the box.
“Joo Taehyun.”
He slipped his shoe into the closing doors and hammered the “Open” button. As the doors opened again, a dazed Taehyun finally came into view.

“What are you doing?”
“…Ah.”
He didn’t even try to hide his dismay this time. Taehyun awkwardly twitched the corner of his mouth, and after a few more tries, he finally managed to reproduce the same expression Baekhan had touched earlier. It hadn’t even been that long, but to Baekhan, it felt strangely slow, almost out of sync.

“Ah, sorry. I was thinking about what I need to prepare. So… my academic plan, and the partner list, and the list of Switches I’ve taken. Is that what you want?”
“Mm.”
He nodded to confirm.

Honestly, if he wanted to, Baekhan could’ve easily acquired all that information himself. Maybe not to the confidential level of the document Taehyun handed over, but still. Not that he cared to dig that deep. There was no need. It’s not like they were drafting a formal marriage contract—he was just indulging a bit of whim by deciding to meet one more time.
He only wanted to see how well Joo Taehyun understood his words—and how he handled this kind of request, which was borderline a command.
“Did you bring your car?”

“Yeah. What about you?”
He didn’t get to hear the answer. As they neared the valet booth, the staff moved into position on both sides without being prompted. Judging by how many of them reacted, it must’ve meant Taehyun had also driven himself. He didn’t seem like the type to go out without a driver, so it was a bit unexpected.
“I’m still not used to driving in Korea.”

With cheeks red from the winter wind, Taehyun started rambling about things Baekhan hadn’t even asked. Like a love-struck fool who speeds up their talking when the bus they're about to miss finally comes into view.
“So I’ve been trying to drive more. My brothers and sister… they keep teasing me.”
“Ah.”

That came out of nowhere, but clearly, Taehyun knew how people saw him. Judging by how naturally he explained why he didn’t bring a driver, this wasn’t the first time he’d faced that kind of misunderstanding.
Baekhan didn’t respond, letting the conversation fade out. A slightly awkward silence settled between them, but he actually liked this level of discomfort—it maintained just the right distance.
“Oh, hyung, your car’s here first.”

Taehyun spoke offhandedly as a car rolled toward them. There were two of them waiting, and since it wasn’t his car, it made sense to assume it was Baekhan’s. Still… Baekhan figured Taehyun already knew the make and license plate of the car he drove. If Taehyun heard that, he might protest, but Baekhan considered it a fair assumption. This was the guy who somehow knew he’d be meeting an Alpha for matchmaking despite the info being tightly guarded—license plate recognition should’ve been the least of it.
And with that thought came a small twinge of regret. He’s already this annoying after just a few casual exchanges—should I really have agreed to meet again?
“I’m going.”

“Yes. Uh, hyung! Um… the number at the top of that document—it’s my personal number. The one I used before was my business line.”
After a brief hesitation, Taehyun added that if Baekhan ever needed to reach him, he should use that number—it’d get a faster response.
This time, Baekhan didn’t respond at all.

Sunday wasn’t far off, and he had no desire to open up a personal channel with Joo Taehyun.
“See you Sunday then, hyung.”
Despite Baekhan’s indifferent reaction, Taehyun offered one more goodbye. It sounded like he’d squeezed out the last bit of courage he had.

Should I reply this time, since he’s trying so hard? Baekhan briefly considered it, but Taehyun’s car was already pulling up, and the moment passed.
Settling into the driver’s seat, Baekhan launched his usual navigation app and entered his next destination. Thankfully, it was a casual dinner with more comfortable acquaintances like Choi Yeonjun. Still, since topics like the upcoming antique auction and the Crown Prince’s tax evasion scandal would likely come up, it wouldn’t be totally relaxing.
Even after Baekhan had done everything to prepare for departure, Joo Taehyun was still standing outside. Peeking toward him, his face was reflected in the side mirror.

Eventually, Baekhan rolled down the window.
He didn’t say anything—just gave a brief look. That alone was enough to make Taehyun brighten. The nearby staff probably didn’t notice any change, but to Baekhan, it was obvious.
Tch.

He clicked his tongue softly and gripped the steering wheel.
Would Joo Taehyun keep standing there until his car disappeared?
He didn’t check.

But something told him… he probably would.
One week later.
Christmas Day.
After visiting the exhibition at the National Palace Museum, the two of them continued their dry, transactional meetings.

It was mostly Seo Baekhan summoning Joo Taehyun to ask questions and receive answers.
Though Baekhan’s tone had grown more familiar, he remained emotionally distant. Taehyun, meanwhile, hadn’t changed. He bowed politely with his usual blank, melancholic expression—revealing only faint traces of emotion, just enough for Baekhan to notice, before quickly tucking them away.
They weren’t quite dates. Closer to pressure interviews.

But after a few of these strange meetings, before Lunar New Year arrived, they mutually agreed to become each other’s legal spouses.
Alongside the prenuptial agreement drawn up with both families, they secretly shared a single sheet of paper, covered in alarming clauses—like permission for each party to continue seeing their own rut partners.