When Jihong announced that he wanted to increase the dosage, the doctor sighed meaningfully.

"Then how much to increase?"

"To the maximum," Jihon replied without hesitation. - Increase as much as possible.

When he added that it seemed to be the safest way, the man froze for a moment, stopping typing, "The safe way is not to enlarge it at all. Or, at least, start with the minimum, observing the state of the body.

"I don't have the opportunity to come to the hospital all the time.

Only then did the doctor realize that the "safe way" did not concern the patient, but his beloved. Yes, he did not voice his assumption, but it became clear from the look that he considered Jihon either naïve or stupid, simultaneously condemning his partner's selfishness.

But even if the doctor had said everything directly, Jihon had a prepared objection: "Yes, I'm stupid, but my partner is not selfish, doctor. This is solely my choice."

Jihon left the hospital when the sun was already high above the horizon. After checking the time, he called Ming to see if the morning workout was over, and then headed to the sports complex.

Jihong was just in time for the final part - 600 meters freestyle.

"It has just started.

After listening to Oliver, Jihong immediately went up to the third floor, where a balcony area was arranged, similar to an observation deck. Unlike the waiting room on the second floor, you can see the entire pool here. Thanks to this, Jihong could enjoy a beautiful picture of Jaekyung confidently sliding along the 50-meter path, raising white foam.

Jihon approached the railing, leaning mechanically on the railing. A sudden pain shot through his forearm, causing him to recoil. Fortunately, the seam did not come apart. Jihon gently massaged the spot, causing his face to distort involuntarily. Still, his eyes were still fixed on Jaekyung. A couple of minutes later, he leaned against the railing again.

A clean, powerful turn with a somersault, a long underwater slide, an almost perfectly smooth straight - Jihong was eager to capture it all down to the last detail.

In fact, yesterday he was determined to stop everything. I thought that, since it happened, it was better for them to step away for a while, at least until the Olympics. And he even prepared a speech: "I didn't want this to happen, so please understand me."

But as soon as he saw Jaekyung, he was speechless. And the former hardness evaporated somewhere in an instant. Ji-heon's heart broke when Jaekyung admitted that he would be lonely and hurt without him.

However, that's not all. He understood that Jaekyung would definitely cope: he would take part in the Olympics and win a gold medal. For ten years, he learned to overcome his illness. And there is nothing left. But Jihon, on the contrary, will not be able to withstand the separation and the excruciating pain from it.

The long-casual phrase "it's easier to stop seeing each other altogether" was perceived by Jihon as a threat. Moreover, when Jaekyung jokingly asked if he was afraid, he hit the nail on the head again.

The thought that their paths would diverge frightened Jihon to the point of trembling in his knees, to the point of sinking his heart. And if he is not able to endure even a few months before the Olympics, then what will happen to him after ?

Even yesterday, although they had been sitting a short distance apart, he had fought the irresistible urge to touch him, to run his hand over his shoulder. When Jaekyung said that he felt lonely in the empty pool, Jihon's soul resounded with words, which he immediately swallowed: "Alright, I'll stay with you. I will be your refuge."

Fearful and indecisive, he simply, as if jokingly, suggested: "Let's date?" and smiled weakly.

"The last lap!" Oliver shouted loudly. And Jaekyung turned around with more effort than ever. Instantly crossing the 50-meter pool, he, touching the wall, immediately stood up and, throwing off his swimming cap, taking off his glasses, raised his head in the direction of the observation deck.

"How did he know?" asked Jihong in surprise, and without knowing it, he waved his hand vigorously.

Caught off guard, Jaekyung froze, but soon responded with the same warm gesture. His radiant smile against the blue water dazzled Jihon.

At that moment, he understood what it means to love without limits. He had never felt such strong affection, such trembling enthusiastic adoration.

Which made something tighten in my chest.

If Jihong was really a selfless person, he would honestly admit everything. If he really put his partner first, he would say, "Maybe I love you even more than you love me." After all, it is mutual feelings that Jaekyung expects more than anything in the world.

But Jihon is an egoist, accustomed to leaving himself ways to retreat.

And instead of reverent sincerity, Jihon is ready to offer all of himself and care in addition. If only to fix in memory again that piercing, soul-warming joy. He wanted to see Jaekyung happy. Happy thanks to him, and only to him.

"Will he forgive me for this cowardice? Will he accept that I cannot be completely honest with him? I'll do everything except that, take all the pain and consequences," without noticing it, Jihon squeezed his hand again, as if punishing himself.

Jaekyung appeared ten minutes after Minwoo left with Oliver and Mr. Gleeson. As soon as he settled into the passenger seat, Jihon spoke hurriedly: "Oliver is thinking of increasing the number of strokes in each segment by two.

To which Jaekyung squinted at him, and then, slamming the door shut, stammered, "I won't.

"Huh?" Why?

— The timing is lost. I tried: right before the last touch, there is a moment when you doubt. If you wait, you won't have time, and if you do a stroke, the distance is too short. I'll keep it up," Jaekyung explained, dropping his bag and fastening his seatbelt. "Now I have no problems with endurance. Rather, on the contrary, for some reason, I have too much energy, and the rhythm is a little off.

Jihon nodded when he heard that everything would return to normal in a few days.

If this is really the effect of pheromones, then by Monday lactate levels should return to normal. Then the number of strokes and speed will recover by themselves.

"Everything will be fine soon," Jihon added, starting the car.

Jaekyung continued to stare at him, leaning against the window, "Why do we communicate like this?

"How is that?"

"As if nothing had changed between us.

At the open complaint, Jihon only laughed: "I warned you. I've told you many times that we've done this before, that it won't make any difference.

"But it was you who proposed," Jaekyung burst out in displeasure.

"Well, yes, but...

- Everything is absolutely the same as before the relationship. The stubborn man muttered.

His frankly disappointed almost screamed that he hoped for a hot kiss. But instead, they started discussing the workout, which clearly ruined his mood.

"It's no different.

— No, it is different. And very much," Jihon objected, leaving the parking lot.

"And with what?" Jaekyung persisted.

"Well... you'll know when you feel it for yourself," Jihon evaded so as not to boast about what he was going to do for him in the future.

But it seems that this only caused a misunderstanding.

"You... Are you really talking about something... Erotic? Jaekyung clarified in confusion with impatient anticipation in his eyes.

— Why do you have such associations at once? When you see me, is that all you can think of?

Jaekyung looked down for a while, as if confessing his own guilt, but soon became indignant: "What can I do?" All our vigorous activity was just like that.

And here he was right.

"Maybe it is worth directing our relations in a more serious direction? We didn't do anything else but sex. But who needs it at all? And it is unlikely that Kwon Jaekyung will agree." Jihon reasoned in his thoughts, continuing to suppress his own attraction and bargaining with himself.

But the next moment, Jaekyung brought him back to reality, "But still, why did you suddenly change your mind?"

"Why are you just coming to your senses?"

Yesterday, when Jihong proposed to date, he immediately, without asking questions, exclaimed: "Yes, the main thing is not to take the words back, hyung! Now we meet! And today is our first day!"

"Then I was afraid to ask, lest you change your mind." And now that we've made it through the first day and you're probably not going to back down, I can safely find out why. You didn't dare to take this step, just because your brain turned off for a second because of a cold, right?

"Is that what you say to your boyfriend?" Jihon sighed.

Hearing the word "guy," Jaekyung's eyes widened and muttered, "Wow...

And, turning away with lightning speed, he pretended to be enthusiastically studying the boring landscapes outside the window. However, a wide smile treacherously blossomed on his face.

"Actually, you're right...

"In what exactly?"

"You said it yourself, if our relationship remains the same, then why don't we become a couple.

Jaekyung, with a clear desire for a detailed answer in his pupils, stared at Jihon.

"Well... Your words make sense. Moreover, I must be by your side before the Olympics," Jihong added with an artificially created tinge of insignificance.

To which Jaekyung for a long time just bored the newly-made "lover" with a heavy, thoughtful look, which made Jihon a little uncomfortable.

"What is it?" Are you against it? If you don't want to, then let's pretend that nothing happened.

"Who said I was against it?" Jaekyung immediately burst out.

"Then why do you have such a face?"

Although Jihon expected a reproach like: "What's wrong with him? Everything is normal," but Jaekyung only whispered quietly, "It's just... It seems to me that there is still some distance between us.

Jihon had a question on his tongue: "What?" but he closed his lips tightly so as not to voice it. Because I roughly understood what it was about. Probably, this was due to the previous words about the 100 meters. Jaekyung seemed to think that the intended goal was still far away.

Jihong was tormented by the impulse to shout that they had long crossed the finish line, but restrained himself. After all, then they will have nowhere else to go.

"By the way, how did you know I was on the third floor?" He deliberately changed the subject, although he was worried that the grumbler would answer indifferently again, but, fortunately, he spoke in his usual tone.

"Hmm, I just caught someone's eye and looked there.

"Really?" Maybe I was staring too intently?

"yes. I felt like I was in a frying pan. Next time, pay to watch.

"Do I have to pay to admire my boyfriend?" Jihong laughed, accentuating the exciting words. Well, the reaction, of course, followed immediately: the stubborn man immediately fell silent, looking sideways at him.

As a result, Jihong laughed even louder: "Hey, what are you doing? Why do you look at me like that every time I say something?

"Well, you say 'boyfriend' and 'my boyfriend' so calmly... I'm not used to it yet. Jaekyung muttered embarrassedly.

Only yesterday, he had been so insistent that Jihong call him "boyfriend," and today, when their relationship had become a reality, he was starting to feel embarrassed. Jihon thought it was both cute and funny, so he emphasized even more that they were a couple.

In playful arguments and in casual chatter, time flew by quickly.

As soon as they got home, Jihon parked the car and immediately picked up the medicine package lying on the dashboard.

"What did the doctor say?" Jaekyung asked, unbuckling his seat belt.

"It's not a cold, it's just a general malaise.

"What's the difference?" The symptoms are the same. Jaekyung stammered, reaching for his bag in the back seat.

"There's a difference," Jihon blurted out. Without hesitation, he pulled Jaekyung to him and kissed him. "You can't get sick.

Letting go of him, he watched with pleasure as a confused Jaekyung lightly touched his lips and muttered, "Yes, there definitely is.