Jihong flew out of the building in an instant. And as soon as he got into the car, he immediately took out his phone and began to look for the nearest hospital. Of course, he should have gone to his doctor in the city of Ilsan, but now he does not have time for this. Fortunately, very close to the sports complex there was a clinic where an endocrinologist sees patients.

Jihon typed the address into the navigator and drove off, but even those ten minutes seemed like an eternity. He tried to pull himself together and opened the window, but it didn't help. On the contrary, a gust of icy wind brought with it the smell of freshly cut grass, which made him sick. Jihon nervously squeezed and unclenched the steering wheel, trying to calm his anxiety.

Elevated lactic acid levels and heart palpitations are signs of severe stress caused by the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Unlike normal sexual arousal, which is controlled by the parasympathetic system, the effects of pheromones cause the body to work hard. Of course, it is not yet possible to say with certainty that Jaekyung has a rut. A young and healthy alpha would hardly be able to behave so calmly. Remember at least the words of Cha Sung-hyun: "... all you focus on is a hole in which you want to insert..."

However, there is one nuance – the effect of imprinting. Because of it, Jaekyung was particularly sensitive to a certain type of pheromone. It is able to pick up trace amounts that are imperceptible to others. That is why that summer he was able to recognize them even by a drop of sweat on a handkerchief.

"If this is the case this time, then even in the absence of rut, the increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system can affect his well-being," Jihon thought. And then he remembered the excessive tenderness and tactility on Jaekyung's part in the past few days, which was somewhat unusual for him... And suddenly all the details came together into a single, disappointing picture.

Upon reaching the hospital, Jihong immediately passed the tests. This time, he decided not to limit himself to a rapid test and insisted on a full examination. Fortunately, he got the results quickly enough. The nurse escorted Jihong to the office, where a middle-aged male doctor was already waiting for him.

— Are you married? He asked immediately after Jihong explained the reason for his visit.

— No, I don't.

"But do you have a partner?"

Judging by the confident tone in which the doctor asked the question, it was a sexual relationship. And Jihon knew perfectly well that it would be foolish to deny it.

— Yes.

"Is he an alpha?"

— Yes.

The doctor nodded and, finally looking up from the monitor, looked at Jihon: "In simple words, pheromones are hormones that are released by the omega's body to help with conception. Their production is influenced by the environment. If an alpha is near the omega, and if they have frequent sexual contact, then their level naturally increases. The body decides that it is ready for pregnancy and begins to produce even more.

— That is, now...

"Yes, judging by the blood test, the level of your pheromones is slightly elevated.

— …

"Which was what I had to prove," Jihon cursed. And at that moment, it was as if the ground went from under his feet.

— You wrote that at the beginning of September your dose of blockers was increased. At that time, apparently, your hormonal background stabilized. And now there has been a surge and the previous dosage is no longer enough. Though... The situation is not critical and is unlikely to affect your daily life in any way. For young couples, especially newlyweds, this is quite normal, average. Do you have any special reasons to be concerned?

Of course, there were reasons, and what other reasons! Firstly, because of this damn imprinting, Jaekyung reacts sharply to his pheromones. And secondly, he is an athlete, and any changes in physical condition can negatively affect the results.

However, Jihong saw no point in going into details: "It's just that my partner is very sensitive to any changes.

The doctor clearly did not believe it, but did not ask unnecessary questions. "In any case, from a medical point of view, I would not advise you to increase the dosage. Hormonal drugs are one of the most potent. Moreover, you are not taking them for therapeutic purposes, but just... Well, let's just say that we could do without them. I understand that you have no other choice, but as a doctor, I can't help but speak out. People take everything so lightly: "Take pills, insert chips"... But... You yourself said that you already had side effects...

The doctor looked confused. He stared at the papers again, as if hoping to find the answer there.

"Maybe your partner should try taking stronger ones," he began.

"No," Jihon interrupted. "That is out of the question.

He couldn't ask Jaekyong for that. The current drug was carefully selected according to various criteria: from the safety of the components themselves to minimal side effects. Athletes took medications very seriously. Even if they needed painkillers, they only used the one they were used to. Even when it came to generics or medicines with one active ingredient in the composition, many athletes insisted on the products of certain pharmaceutical companies.

"I see. Well... Your choice. If you want to increase your suppressor dosage, you can do so.

However, in the end, he still advised Jihon to discuss everything with his partner.

After leaving the hospital, Jihong, instead of going to the pool, went straight to work. He asked Mina to pick up Jaekyung and fully focused on the current affairs. However, he could not effectively perform his tasks, and in the late afternoon he decided to take a day off and leave early.

Crossing the threshold of his own apartment, he collapsed on the bed without undressing. Jihon did not turn on the light, continuing to think in the heavy twilight until the sun went down. And after a while he fell into a heavy sleep.

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out: "Hyung!

Which made Jihon shudder and opened his eyes. Someone was shaking him by the shoulder.

"Why are you so early?" Jaekyung asked, sitting down on the bed.

The guy had wet hair, most likely he had just finished training.

"It's about seven now?" thought Jihong, trying to gather his thoughts.

It was strange that he, who always came home from work later than Jaekyung, was the first to return today. Jihon remembered that he had forgotten to warn him, and clicked his tongue in frustration.

Instead of getting up, he pulled the blanket over his head and muttered, "Well, I decided to leave early today. He caught a little cold.

"Are you feeling bad?" Did you go to the hospital?

— Not really. But you can get infected," Jihon replied evasively, feigning a cough. "Cough." You'd better go home today.

"Let's go to the hospital, I'll take you," Jaekyung suggested, pulling the blanket over himself.

"Don't!" He exclaimed, and shrank in fright, wrapping himself more tightly in it. "I'll manage it myself somehow, and you screw home."

Perhaps, seeing his condition, Jaekyung didn't bother, "Okay, then I'll go to my room today. Rest, hyung. And tomorrow don't come for me, in the morning we'll go to the hospital together.

He repeated his request, and then turned off the light in the bedroom and closed the door.

Left alone, Jihon tried to fall asleep, but he failed, as various disturbing thoughts swarmed in his head.

When he returned home, he thought about everything again and again and at some point even almost made up his mind. But seeing Jaekyung, as if out of nowhere, doubt crept into his heart. After lying under the covers for quite a long time, Jihong finally got up and trudged into the shower.

But when he saw Jaekyung sitting on the couch in the living room, he blurted out, "What are you doing here?"

"Why should I leave?" The stubborn man retorted calmly. "Just wanted to make sure you're okay, hyung.

Translated into human language, he was worried and waited for Jihon to wake up. But he had a special talent for expressing his anxiety in an irritated tone.

"I told you to go home," sighed Jihon.

But still, the guy was waiting for him, because he was very worried. Because of this, Jihong could not be angry.

With the intention of talking for a while and then provading, Jihong landed on the farthest edge of the sofa. But Jaekyung didn't seem to like it.

"What's up?" He frowned. "Why did you sit so far?"

"I have a cold," Jihon reminded.

"I won't get infected if I sit next to him.

With these words, the bulldozer moved closer, to which Jihong jumped up in panic with lightning speed: "Don't get closer! And in general, you need to ventilate!

"Hyung, you're sick. Maybe you shouldn't open the windows?

"Don't you know?" Jihon persisted, opening the windows wide. "We need fresh air!"

He knew it wouldn't help much, but even such a useless action was a little comforting.

"Hyung, you can hurt even more that way," Jaekyung remarked in alarm as a cold wind blew into the room.

"Exactly!" Jihon barked loudly. "So you have to go home!"

And he sat down on the sofa again.

"I'm talking about you, not about myself. If you're trying to put me out, don't try. I'm already leaving. Close the windows," Jaekyung muttered, in total confusion.

With that, he took the bag and stood up. Jihon silently watched him head for the door, and belatedly called out:

"Jaekyung-ah...

To which the guy turned.

And Jihong, hesitating, said confusedly: "What would you do if I had to go on a business trip for several months?