Dirty Switch

"Taehyun. I really think you should go get some rest."
"I'm fine."

Joo Taehyun was practically pressed up against the door. He usually kept a fair distance when sitting, but today he had gone out of his way to sit as far as possible, even angling his body toward the car window.
That night, both families’ physicians immediately flew in to examine him, and by the next day, the test results they handed over were saying the same thing.
‘There’s a pheromone irregularity. These levels... they can’t be caused by medication.’

Seo Baekhan was already aware of that. Artificial measures could never produce this type of graph, especially not sustained over several days.
For the levels to spike like this, it would only be explainable if he had reacted to someone else's pheromones... But unless Joo Taehyun was an Omega experiencing his first heat, there was no reason for him to respond to his own pheromones. That made no sense either.
‘Young Master, I know it’s hard to trust me as much as the family doctor in Seoul, but please be honest with me.’

‘……’
‘Have you, at any point, stopped taking the Switch? I’m not saying this to accuse you of lying—it’s just that we need an accurate understanding.’
‘……’

‘The Switch that the Director prepared didn’t show any side effects or addictive traits when tested, but if someone without tolerance took a large dose, it would hit them pretty hard.’
Trying to avoid eye contact, Joo Taehyun stared off into the distance and let out a dry, scoffing laugh, as if to say: ‘What nonsense.’
‘That’s not it.’

‘Still…’
‘He gave the same answer to Dr. Woo in Seoul. And for the meds to mess him up this badly, he would’ve had to down the whole bottle I gave him all at once.’
It wasn’t wrong, though it was a slight exaggeration. Seo Baekhan was deliberately pushing to draw a reaction—because that was the only way to uncover the root of this strange phenomenon.

But no matter what Baekhan said, Joo Taehyun remained composed. Or... was it really composure? His stillness was so absolute, he looked more like a corpse than a calm person.
‘In any case… if anything comes to mind later, please tell us. That’s the only way we’ll be able to help.’
Maybe that was why something kept nagging at Baekhan—like the fact that Joo Taehyun was the one managing his own supply of Switch and that no one had ever actually seen him take it.

Seo Baekhan glanced sidelong at Joo Taehyun, who had his nose pressed against the car window, a faint scent of pheromones still lingering around him.
Taehyun had holed himself up in his room since last Friday, claiming he was unwell. Baekhan had joined the sessions when the doctors visited, but since Taehyun visibly stiffened every time he saw him, Baekhan hadn't approached him again.
If it were just discomfort, Baekhan would’ve ignored it. But unlike usual, Taehyun’s scent had been growing stronger and weaker in waves, which, oddly enough, made Baekhan hesitate.
"I’ve gotten much better after resting. Really, I’m fine."

But now, at twenty-six years old, Joo Taehyun had become much harder to read. No, that’s not true—he was still transparent when it came to other topics. It was just that, for the first time, he was putting up a wall because he felt embarrassed.
Above all, Joo Taehyun wasn’t the type to lie about Switch. His willingness to go through with this marriage, and his cooperation with everything Baekhan and DH Group required—none of that would’ve been possible if he weren’t still on the medication.
"I know it’s rude to say this, but still..."

Seo Baekhan took a deep breath and exhaled heavily instead of finishing the sentence.
Your pheromones… your scent is filling the air.
At last, a faint crack appeared in Taehyun’s carefully neutral expression.

"Hyung. Is it... is it unpleasant for you to be near me?"
"It’s not that."
That, at least, he could say with certainty. It was just that the scent had become unmistakably more noticeable than before.

While Taehyun stayed in the guest room, Seo Baekhan had found himself covering his mouth and nose every time he pulled into the parking lot, needing to pause just to breathe. Taehyun’s scent was embedded in every corner—from the garage to the stairwell. So thick and intense, Baekhan had briefly wondered if Taehyun was in rut.
After that, the scattered traces of his pheromones let Baekhan guess things like: He must’ve come downstairs earlier. Maybe he went to the kitchen. Took something from the fridge... Only rough guesses.
He’d been constantly exposed to Taehyun’s scent for days now, so he couldn’t tell anymore—was he becoming desensitized, or was Taehyun genuinely getting better?

"As long as it’s not repulsive, that’s enough for me."
As they neared the drop-off point, Joo Taehyun smoothed out his jacket sleeves and ran his hands from shoulder to wrist, checking for anything out of place.
…It was strange. Everything he did lately mirrored Baekhan—like he’d learned by watching him.

"This is your first big event since you became Director of Jejungwon. And it’s hosted by Yeonhwagung and the Ministry of Health. Don’t you think it’s good for your research to be seen with your same-sex Alpha spouse?"
That’s my role, Taehyun added.
Seo Baekhan stared at Taehyun’s dry, pale lips for a long moment before turning his head away. He didn’t answer, but his silence meant I understand.

It was strange. Things were going exactly the way he wanted. Taehyun was fulfilling his role as a spouse to perfection. So why did Baekhan feel so unsettled?
Just then, the car came to a smooth stop. Before the palace attendants reached the door—
Taehyun’s voice spilled out behind Baekhan’s shoulder, barely a whisper.

"I thought you'd be proud of me."
In that moment, Baekhan felt something twist inside him. He turned his head slightly—annoyed by how even now Taehyun was hoping for approval—but the words caught in his throat.
Was it because he was sick again? Taehyun’s eyes were red. His irises looked slick, like they were full of water.

Thick brows, high nose bridge, a delicate but sharp jawline—pale and slightly gaunt now. Drooping corners of his lips, tightly sealed mouth. It was the same face he always saw.
Yet for some reason, Seo Baekhan felt like Taehyun was holding back tears.
This is all I can do… his expression seemed to say. If you won’t even let me do this, then what am I worth to you?

Yeah... Normally, someone would admire how composed Taehyun always tried to appear. Even if their roles were reversed, Baekhan would’ve done the same—pushed through the pain if it meant showing up for an important DH Group event.
So why was he so bothered by Taehyun today? Was it because he hadn’t been himself since taking the Switch Baekhan gave him? Or was it because Taehyun had started reacting in ways that weren’t like him?
"Director Seo Baekhan and spouse Joo Taehyun, this way, please."

Even in the most relaxed and casual part of the palace, Yeonhwagung still followed protocol. The guards inspected the car, checked their identities, and only then opened the doors.
"But if we go this way, doesn’t it take longer to—"
"Director Seo?"

Just as Baekhan was about to question the path, a familiar face peeked out from the corridor.
"You’re early."
"…Your Highness, Prince Yi Hwang."

The host of today’s event and lord of Yeonhwagung himself had come all the way out to greet them, chuckling as he offered a casual greeting. The way the staff had guided them this way—it clearly wasn’t a coincidence.
"What are you doing out here, making guests nervous?"
Baekhan grumbled while still bowing respectfully. Yi Hwang laughed and patted his back.

"That’s exactly why I’m here. Too many people showed up who weren’t even invited, so I figured I’d make them uncomfortable. But wait—Taehyun-ssi, is that you?"
Only then did Baekhan realize he’d instinctively moved Taehyun behind him, as if to shield him from view.
Though it was a stretch to say he was hiding him—Taehyun wasn’t short enough to be concealed that easily. Still, he had been worried about his condition all morning, and at the sudden sound of footsteps, had stepped forward without thinking.

Today, Yi Hwang’s jokes were unusually pointed. Then again, he wasn’t the type to hide behind formalities or play two-faced games. He really was probably just messing around.
"I must’ve moved instinctively so he wouldn’t get startled. My apologies, Your Highness. …Taehyun? What are you doing?"
"…My apologies, Your Highness."

"It’s fine, Taehyun-ssi. I’m the one who should be sorry for teasing you. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?"
"Y-Yes, Your… Highness."
Yi Hwang extended his hand toward Taehyun. But strangely, despite knowing all the formal protocols, Taehyun hesitated. He wavered. Yi Hwang seemed to notice it too and tilted his head, puzzled.

"Taehyun-ssi?"
"Ah... Forgive me, Your—Ugh…!"
Just as he bent in a polite bow and reached to clasp Yi Hwang’s hand, Taehyun’s face went deathly pale and he clamped a hand over his mouth.

"Joo Taehyun!"
Baekhan caught him just in time as he staggered, while Yi Hwang also stepped back, covering his mouth and nose with the back of his hand.
"What the hell—"

"Director Seo!"
Yi Hwang barked, hastily covering his lower face with his sleeve.
"Take Taehyun-ssi to Buyongwon. Now. Immediately."

"I'm sorry. He’s been unwell since ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) before we left, but he insisted on coming because he didn’t want to inconvenience you. I pushed him too hard. If you’ll allow it, I’ll take him home and then—"
"No, there’s no time. Go to Buyongwon. It’s nearby, and no one’s staying there at the moment."
"What?"

Taehyun, barely standing, started coughing harder than before. Yi Hwang flinched and retreated even further, as if Taehyun’s breath were laced with poison.
"You don’t feel anything, Director Seo?"
"Your Highness, forgive me, but I don’t know what you mean—"

Baekhan was baffled. Yi Hwang muttered to himself in disbelief.
"What is this? Is it because I’m bonded with Yul that I’m more sensitive...?"
"Your Highness?"

"Listen, Director Seo. Taehyun-ssi’s current state..."
Yi Hwang glanced around cautiously, then leaned in to whisper with his breath held tight.
"...His pheromones are completely off. You really didn’t notice?"

"Excuse me?"
"It’s like... not an Alpha in rut. More like... an Omega in heat? That’s what it feels like."