Dirty Switch

Joo Taehyun looked like he might shove his nose into every inch of his own body to check for a smell.

“It’s not like that. It’s just… like when you pass another Alpha on the street. Nothing unpleasant.”
“Then why bring up a neutralizer all of a sudden…?”
“You’re going to have sex with your boyfriend during your rut, aren’t you?”

“…Ah.”
“I told you, didn’t I? Whether it’s your boyfriend or a one-night stand, just bring them home. It’s safer that way.”
Knowing Taehyun’s preferences, his partner was probably another Alpha. The thought of two Alphas’ heavy pheromones lingering in the house was revolting. Still, it was easier on Baekhan’s nerves to keep it under control. If he knew exactly who was going in and out—of either the house or Taehyun’s ass—it would make things far simpler to manage.

“Since you’re going to be based in Korea anyway, whether you stay with your current boyfriend or meet someone new, I’d prefer if you keep it inside the house. If a photo gets taken in a hotel, that’s going to be a problem.”
“…”
“But if I catch another Alpha’s pheromones in my own house, I won’t like that.”

“...Yeah, that makes sense.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, hyung,” he murmured, voice small, as he coughed awkwardly and tried to change the subject.
“But hyung—”

“Taehyun, since we’re on the topic, let’s be clear about something. I’m not interested in dating.”
“…Okay.”
“To be precise, I don’t want to meet someone, fall in love, or get emotionally involved. But that doesn’t mean I never want sex.”

It wasn’t just Taehyun who was expected to report his partners. Ever since their marriage was formalized, Baekhan had also shared any information about people he’d slept with, even if it was just a one-night thing. Since most of his partners were female Betas or Omegas, he’d kept careful records, especially regarding potential pregnancy.
It would probably stay like that going forward. Unlike Taehyun, Baekhan had no desire to seriously date anyone. He wasn’t sure he even understood what it meant to love or care deeply for someone. But he didn’t hate sex, and since physical contact brought a certain kind of release that suppressants couldn’t provide, he wasn’t planning to live like a monk either.
“So if you have a pheromone neutralizer you like, send me the name. I’m planning to bring people over too, and I’ll make sure you won’t be bothered by anything if I sleep with someone here.”

“…”
“Obviously I’ll use protection, so don’t worry about that. I thought about getting a vasectomy, but… after we divorce, if I meet someone who wants kids, I’d rather not have closed that door too soon.”
“…Thank… thank you, hyung.”
Taehyun managed to lift the corners of his lips as usual, but all the strength had drained from him. He looked like someone quietly drowning under the weight of unexpected kindness.

“By the way—you said you transferred into Pyongyang University’s business program, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
When the two had started seriously preparing for marriage last year, Taehyun had cautiously brought up the idea of transferring to Pyongyang University. In reality, he’d already completed the process and just wanted to inform Baekhan afterward.

It had seemed unusual. A chaebol heir majoring in public policy? It sounded deliberate, like there was a ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) backstory. But maybe not.
“Hyung, if you don’t mind… I was thinking of transferring to Pyongyang University. What do you think?”
“Transferring? Not graduate school—but undergrad?”

“Yes.”
Well, Taehyun wasn’t a typical heir, and he surely had his reasons. Baekhan hadn’t wanted to micromanage, but it was unexpected. He didn’t need to upgrade his degree for clout, and the U.S. school was arguably more prestigious. Why bother transferring to a domestic school, especially right before graduation?
“Is there a specific reason? And why a Korean university?”

“I always planned to return after finishing my studies to take over foundation management. So graduating from either a foreign or domestic university didn’t really matter. And… well, now that we’re married, it just doesn’t seem right to live apart for too long…”
“Ah, okay. Got it. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“…Hyung, are you really okay with this?”

“Hmm? Why wouldn’t I be?”
It was inefficient. He could’ve just graduated and gone straight to a domestic grad school for networking.
If it were him, Baekhan thought, he would’ve finished the bachelor’s, then entered an MBA program or something similar to build connections for the foundation—whether the DH Scholarship Foundation or a new one.

But if Taehyun’s family had signed off on it, there was no reason for Baekhan to interfere.
“I know you prefer structured planning… so I wasn’t sure if me suddenly switching schools like this would bother you…”
“It’s unexpected, sure. But why would it bother me?”

Taehyun paused, as if trying to judge whether Baekhan was being honest or sarcastic.
“Joo Taehyun. I really don’t care.”
“…Really?”

“Yes. It’s your life, your work, your plan. I was a little surprised, but you told me ahead of time, so I don’t mind. Whether it’s Pyongyang U or Seoul U, it doesn’t change what I need to do. Right?”
“…”
“If you had decided to suddenly move back to the U.S. mid-semester, that would’ve been a problem. Pyongyang folks take regional pride pretty seriously.”

“…Then I’m glad it’s okay.”
Since Taehyun didn’t bring it up again, Baekhan had mostly forgotten—until a few days ago, when he heard Taehyun had officially been accepted. He’d thought Taehyun would finish up his U.S. studies before preparing to transfer, but apparently he’d been handling everything at once.
Schoolwork, marriage prep, transfer exams… he must’ve been busy.

“If you’re attending school domestically, you’ll get a lot of attention. Especially living in Pyongyang, going to Pyongyang U, as the son-in-law of Assemblyman Seo Hongkyu and Gallery Director Ahn Yeseon.”
“…I’ll be careful.”
“Good. So I’ll see you when you’re back from the States. You said it’s a two-week trip, right?”

“Yes.”
They had decided to skip the honeymoon.
Just having the wedding was enough of a spectacle. Both families had agreed it was better to lie low afterward. Besides, Baekhan had to leave for Paris for an academic seminar right after, and Taehyun had to return to the U.S. to wrap up his studies.

Once Taehyun returned, they could quietly upload a few photos from a short stay at a scenic villa near Pyongyang. That should be enough.
Since both were full Haechi members, it might be nice to spend time volunteering together before the semester began.
Marriage wasn’t a conclusion—it was only the start. He hadn’t expected to pick this card, but he had, and now Baekhan planned to make the most of it. Taehyun, too, was expected to use him as agreed.

And above all, Baekhan was determined to push the legal approval and commercialization of the Switch before Taehyun turned thirty. After that, they could part ways and find new partners.
“…Hyung.”
“Hm?”

“Will you be at work the day I come back?”
“Probably? It’s a weekday.”
“…Yeah.”

Responding nonchalantly, Baekhan couldn’t help but laugh a little.
“You’re teasing me for being a working stiff now, huh? Spoken like a carefree student.”
He tousled Taehyun’s hair again. Taehyun, ever poised, simply stood there and accepted the touch.

“You must be really tired.”
Taehyun asked softly, seeing Baekhan press his eyes with one hand. He nodded, smiling.
“Being young really is better.”

“…Hyung.”
“Not kidding. Once you hit your late twenties, your body starts to fall apart.”
Baekhan rolled his neck until it cracked.

“Now I get why people say they could never do a second wedding. Even skipping everything, it’s exhausting.”
“…It really is.”
“Let’s get along while this marriage lasts. We’ll have to deal with this all over again eventually, sure—but I’m not eager to do it again anytime soon. You feel me?”

Tilting his head toward the window, Taehyun softly repeated what he’d said earlier.
“…Yeah, really.”
Just then, Baekhan’s favorite music came to an end.

Elegant Ghosts.
He’d never really thought about it before, but it occurred to him that there was no phrase more fitting to describe Joo Taehyun than that.