Chapter Text
The lifelike painting of the cherry blossoms, commissioned by Sehun was the first visual to greet anyone that entered the lobby of his publishing house. It was an unofficial maitre d' of sorts and seeing the picture did wonderful things for his permanently foul mood.
It dug into the pleasant parts of his past and brought back memories of the year he had spent in Japan entirely by himself. He had practically camped under the Sakura trees for hours together, watching the pink flowers fall around him in heaps and enjoyed piping hot takoyaki. He considered it the best time of his life without a doubt.
Sehun had defied his parents and ignored their vocal disapproval of his plans. Then he did everything he wanted to without an ounce of regret or self control. He had lived in a quaint little village called Biei and travelled all over the country.
He vividly remembered getting caught in the pouring rain on his way back from the Yume no Tsuribashi bridge in Shizuoka. The post of a travel blogger in Instagram had encouraged Sehun to visit the attraction so he flew to the picturesque town and drove for hours to a nearby onsen, then hiked a well trodden trail to the bridge.
Even as Sehun had held on for dear life on the swaying and rocking bridge the awe he felt in that moment was incomparable. The blue, green lake beneath the suspension bridge made him wonder which fairytale he had stumbled into. In the beginning he thought the waters wouldn't remotely look as emerald as they had in the photos but boy was he wrong. It was everything the blogger had promised and more.
Sehun would deny it until his last breath and lie straight through his teeth if anyone ever asked him for the real reason behind visiting that particular bridge. The tourist brochure read, "anyone who makes a wish for love will be granted it" and he had simply ignored it as nonsense. Maybe it was one of those rumours that tourist agencies spread to attract visitors. Sehun was there for the view and nothing else. However, a few minutes later he had convinced himself it wouldn't hurt to make a small wish. No one would know, which meant he was free from any straying judgement or ridicule.
Despite his attempt at nonchalance, Sehun had ended up laughing after making the wish. How very silly he could be.
It was stupid and childish but a small part of Sehun had wished with a desperation that startled him. Maybe it was because he was expected to marry a complete stranger the next year and act like it was the best thing that ever happened to him or it was just because he was lonely.
Sehun had purposefully arrived early today. So early in fact, that he had to type in the code to unlock his cabin. The early hour gave him the quiet and peace he needed to accomplish his tasks.
Sehun's workplace was immaculate as usual. Bare as it seemed to others, he needed his desk organized and tidy to focus. His father always said minimalism was the key to productivity and it had stuck with him all these years. Whatever Sehun's view may have been of his father's overbearing personality he never doubted his business acumen. The man had built an empire after all.
The left side of his table was reserved for unread manuscripts with readers reports and the right side for manuscripts pending acquisitions meeting.
Jinyoung had planned a schedule full of meetings with the editors, designers, writers and location scouting for the new book store. Sehun briefly wondered if he had wronged him somehow or if it was his Assistant's way of sending him to an early grave. He guessed it was the latter. The beta possessed quite the mean streak.
Sehun could already see the amount of caffeine he'd be inhaling to get through the day alive and he had hardly begun.
"Hey Siri turn on the coffee machine and make me an espresso"
He spent the next two hours signing documents and reviewing the materials provided by the marketing department when his competent but bloodthirsty assistant entered amidst a flurry of papers and files. Sehun eyed him suspiciously.
"If it's more work, I'm leaving and never coming back" Sehun huffed, pointing at the papers.
"This is your company. Where would you go?" Jinyoung asked in all seriousness.
"Himalayas. I heard the weather's nice this time of the year" Sehun said.
"Do you mean the winter or the snow?" Jinyoung pondered not so sincerely.
"Haha. Very funny"
"Just in case you're actually planning on vanishing off the face of the earth, could you make sure I inherit Oh Publishing?" he appealed sweetly.
"Be honest. You're a secret assassin who's here to kill me aren't you?" Sehun accused.
"And which one of your enemies do you think sent me here to get rid of you? Serena Van Der Woodsen or Blair Waldorf?" Jinyoung mocked cheerfully.
"Remind me why I hired you again?" he groaned.
"Because you're scared of the Editor-in-chief, Irene"
"I'm not scared of her" Sehun exclaimed, slightly offended.
"Mhm. What else? The sun rises in the west?" Jinyoung smirked.
"I literally saw her kill a man with only her eyes."
"Maybe you should learn how to do that from her so you get paid more and played less" Jinyoung advised needlessly.
"Were you always this twisted?" Sehun asked the merciless production editor.
"I've got layers babe, the church boy from college is long dead" Jinyoung announces dramatically.
"Go. Just go. Let me wallow in my misery" Sehun exhaled.
"Gladly" Jinyoung exited the cabin before Sehun could come up with any more quips about his personality.
Sehun was completely engrossed in studying the financial reports from the various departments so he didn't notice the person standing near the door. It's only when he stands to grab a fresh cup of coffee does Sehun see the lanky figure smiling apologetically at him.
The color of the man's hair caught his attention. It was a tasteful shade of silver and artfully messy. He seemed to overshadow Sehun in his beige overcoat, black trousers and turtleneck. He exuded a suave and sophisticated aura, which instantly reassured Sehun. Sue him for judging based on appearances but sometimes the extra mile people went to look presentable, mattered.
"I think the models for the cover shoot are required to go to the studio on the 5th floor" Sehun said, walking towards the open door.
"Uhm...actually I'm not here to model. I'm the new writer and I was supposed to meet Mr. Oh Sehun to discuss my story" the man introduced awkwardly and Sehun quickly checked his watch. Shit. It was half an hour past 11.
"I'm so sorry. You must be Mr. Nam Joo Hyuk. I was reviewing a few things and lost track of time. Please come in" Sehun was embarrassed as he ushered him to the couch by the expansive windows.
The beautiful panoramic view was the reason he had chosen this exact building for his publishing house. Endless planning and long discussions with his interior designer yielded the results Sehun had envisioned.
"Your assistant told me I could come inside but when I knocked, there was no response so I waited outside" Mr. Nam explained.
"Next time you can just barge in. We're pretty relaxed with the rules around here. Would you like a cup of coffee?" Sehun offered.
"No, no I wouldn't want to bother you" Mr. Nam refused as Sehun walked towards the tray to pick up a fresh mug.
"Please. I insist. Consider it an apology for making you wait" Sehun smiled.
"Then I'll have a flat white" the writer smiled and Sehun changed the settings to prepare the requested beverage.
"So, Mr. Nam how is it being back in Korea?"
The writer was until recently, signed to the Penguin Random House where he penned many best selling novels spanning across his favorite genres.
From what information Jinyoung had gathered, he knew that Mr. Nam's abrupt return to Korea after 20 years, was still a widely speculated mystery. He puzzled whether Mr. Nam was the prodigal son returning home or an ambitious author seeking to win over a new audience. Either way he didn't care. Sehun was only too glad to sign someone with such a stellar portfolio.
"It's changed so much I had a hard time recognising my own house" he grimaced and Sehun chuckled.
"A week should be enough to reacquaint yourself but if you need a guide I'll be happy to help"
"It's really kind of you to offer"
"It's the least I can do. Are you staying for good?"
"Yes. The circumstances have somehow turned out that way" Mr. Nam smiled.
"It's nice having you on board. I hope we can recreate the strong impression your work has had in the American market" Sehun said.
"I look forward to working with you Mr. Oh" he said.
"Please call me Sehun, Mr. Oh makes me feel ancient" Sehun insisted.
"Then you must call me Joohyuk. I find these titles and formalities stifling" he agreed easily.
Their meeting ended delightfully well and Sehun had gleaned more about the man than any of the pages in Google. He was extremely creative and his detailed execution of the plot captured Sehun's interest. He explained the vision he had for the storyline and what inspired him to write it.
Joohyuk listened to all the inputs with patience and didn't interrupt once while Sehun spoke. Which he really appreciated. Usually the alpha writers in his company had this penchant for quipping in with their presumptuous little thoughts and opinions and it irked him. More often than not he was forced to put them in their place to make sure he was heard.
"It was nice meeting you Joohyuk"
"You too. I'll send in the revised manuscript within the discussed deadline. You won't be disappointed" he promised as they shook hands and parted ways.
The next few hours passed by in a blur as Sehun was swamped with one meeting after another and when they finally came to an end he still hadn't looked at the locations for the book store. It was late in the evening and his back ached painfully after sitting in the same place for that long so Sehun decided he'd do the rest tomorrow.
He hadn't noticed how hungry he was until he stopped his car outside the cafe near his office for a cup of bubble tea and croissant. Sehun had just pressed the unlock button on his key fob when he felt something heavy crash into him. The impact smashed the breath out of him and he fell awkwardly to the floor. What the fuck?
He couldn't understand what was happening in that moment. His ears rang with a dull noise and brute force held him down. The side of his face that was crushed to the pavement burnt so dreadfully, Sehun assumed he must have scraped it pretty bad.
Terror coursed through him in strong waves, raising the fine hairs on the back of his neck. He wanted to move but his body refused to co-operate. He was frozen cold. Suddenly his head was yanked up and Sehun caught the sight of a obscure tattoo on the man's wrist. The smell of stale beer and cigarettes filled his nose and made him gag. He realised the assailant was an alpha and his horror doubled.
He squirmed frantically to dislodge the person above him but he was immobile in a menacing grip. Sehun felt calloused hands curling around his neck and squeezing slowly. Panic was a thick bubble in his chest and a strangled sound escaped his throat. He could no longer control his body; it was shaking in an odd trembling rhythm.
Sehun's heart was throbbing in his ears, loud and erratic, but he barely heard it, because of the fear clouding his mind. What was happening to him? Was he being mugged? Was he getting kidnapped? Was he going to die? Would he end up in a morgue somewhere as an unclaimed corpse?
"P-please let me go. You can take everything I have" Sehun stammered with a gargantuan effort.
"Tell me where that fucker is" the attacker snapped angrily and Sehun felt something digging into his lower back. He whimpered helplessly and struggled to free himself.
"Please please. I don't know who you're talking about" Sehun gasped through the pain. His vision blurred and he had to blink rapidly to clear his head.
"Don't fucking lie to me. You reek of that bastard's scent" he said twisting Sehun's arm until he felt like it would dislocate fom its socket. The assailant's allegations were like gibberish to a frightened Sehun, he knew the words but they made no sense. As seconds ticked by Sehun felt he would die because of this deranged man.
"Is it money that you want? How much? I can give you a lot" Sehun bargained trying to buy time while someone walked into the empty parking lot. If he could reason with the man for a bit he was certain a passerby would see them and help him.
"You think I want money from you? You're just another one of his filthy whores" the man spat vehemently.
"I think you have me mistaken for someone else. Please let's talk" Sehun pleaded when he felt the press of cold steel against his exposed neck.
"Tell me where he is before I slice your neck open and watch you bleed to death. Would you like that? Huh?" the man whispered against his ear and Sehun recoiled from the knife.
The man's hold had slackened on his head and he desperately searched for any sign of help. Think think think he begged himself. He hated how weak he was. He had taken boxing lessons for five years and yet in that moment he couldn't remember a single thing that could save him.
Just then Sehun saw the headlights of another car pulling into the parking lot and there was a fierce burst of hope in his chest. He knew this was his only opportunity to escape. Nothing seemed to matter to the crazy guy except the person he was looking for and Sehun didn't have an answer for that. He pulled in a deep, long breath and screamed loudly.
"You fucking bitch" he snarled, closing Sehun's mouth but it was too late. The people in the car had heard him and rushed out. They were already making their way towards him. Sehun had never felt more grateful in his life.
"What are you doing? We've called the police so you better let him go. I've taken pictures of you on my phone" the woman from the car said.
"I'll kill him if you come closer" the man threatened and dragged Sehun upright, holding him in a chokehold. His vision was dull with the lack of air but he couldn't simply stand here.
Sehun lowered his body slowly to not arouse suspicion and tucked his chin into the crease of the attacker’s arm. It reduced the pressure on his throat and he ground himself firmly. Then he grabbed the attacker's wrist and stepped sideways. Sehun swung his free hand back until he hit the man's groin and elbowed him with all his might when he crumpled in pain.
He ran forward but there was no strength in legs and he collapsed a few steps ahead. The woman and her partner helped steady Sehun.
Adrenaline and fear we're coursing through his body but there was also relief.
"Are you alright? You're bleeding" they asked, concern evident.
"Thank you. Thank you so much" Sehun cried overcome by gratitude.
They consoled Sehun and waited with him while the police arrived. The attacker had fled before the police could arrest him and it scared Sehun to death thinking about how the man could return to finish what he started.
The shock had not worn off when the police took his statement and collected samples from his clothes for an analysis. He was in a daze and so so tired, still he recounted the story with as much detail as possible. Since he hadn't seen the man clearly he couldn't identify him.
They insisted on taking him to the hospital to treat his injuries but Sehun refused adamantly. He just wanted to go home. He wanted see Chanyeol and feel like everything was going to be fine. He ached to sleep on his bed and put this all behind. When he awakened he hoped this incident would be nothing but a passing nightmare.
In the end the officer called a medic to the station to treat his wounds and Sehun didn't protest. The left side of his face had small abrasions and the knife had left a shallow cut on his palm during the scuffle. The medic cleaned and bandaged everything thoroughly.
"Be sure to clean it regularly to avoid infection and apply this ointment for a few days. The marks will reduce" she said pointing to his bruised neck and he nodded mutely.
"There's a car outside that will take you home" announced the detective Sehun had spoken to earlier.
He imagined the ruckus it would cause if he went home in a squad car, the questions he'd have to answer and the kind of attention it would draw. He didn't want that. There was no reason to drag this madness until Chanyeol found out about it. He had to keep it hidden.
"No. I brought my own car. I can drive back" Sehun refused politely.
"Sir we can't let you drive in this condition" the detective objected and Sehun realised he'd be breaking rules if he did.
"Detective I cannot go back in your vehicle unless I want to be the headline in tomorrow's news" Sehun said and the detective sensed his predicament.
"Then let one of our officers drive you back in your vehicle" he said and Sehun agreed.
"Thank you."
"We'll contact you once we have more information. If you remember any other details about the suspect call us immediately" the detective instructed.
"I will"
The officers had retrieved Sehun's Bentley so they didn't have to return to the scene and he was extremely relieved. He didn't think he could handle going there so soon. He would lose his mind.
The officer drove him home silently and left before Sehun could say anything. He parked the car in the garage and entered the house through the back door. He didn't want anyone seeing him in this state until he decided on a story to tell them. He trailed upstairs and locked himself in the bathroom. The water from the shower was cold but Sehun couldn't care less. He sat underneath the forceful stream and ruminated.
He couldn't stop the trembling in his hands no matter how much he tried so he clutched them together. Misery trailed icy claws over his heart and crawled up his throat. Sehun couldn't understand why this had happened but it felt so unfair. Why did it have to be him? What had he done to deserve it?
Sehun let out the cries he hadn't dared voice and salty tears slipped down his face hurriedly. His body heaved with convulsive sobs and drained the remnants of his energy.
Why was there never a moment of peace in his life? Was he such a bad person? The thoughts only spiralled lower until Sehun was utterly spent and miserable. He wished he could just disappear and never be found for the rest of his life. He didn't know how to live with all this and he certainly didn't know how to do it happily.
The automatic controls cut the water after a while and Sehun forced himself to leave. He heaved himself out of the bathroom with heavy feet and mechanically stripped off the wet clothes in exchange for dry ones. He crawled onto his bed and covered himself with the duvet, using it as a shield to hide from the world.
It would be a long time before he forgave himself for this weakness. Sehun had always trusted himself more than anyone and been confident in his ability to handle himself in any situation to a fault. Today he had broken that trust and left him no one to turn to.
Sehun lay there wide awake reliving the terror over and over again when footsteps sounded beside him. The rational part of his brain was sure it wasn't the attacker but the irrational part assumed he had found a way in and Sehun curled into a ball praying that he wouldn't be caught .
"No please no" Sehun kept mumbling and the duvet was suddenly ripped off his body leaving Sehun feeling vulnerable.
"What are you doing?" Chanyeol frowned.
Sehun stared at him and tears welled in his eyes involuntarily. Everything inside him screamed to throw himself into the alpha's arms and seek comfort. He wanted to feel safe. He wanted to feel protected and it was fucked up how it was Chanyeol that could provide him all those things.
"Ch-chanyeol" Sehun whimpered, silently imploring for warmth.
"Don't get the pillows wet. Dry your hair before you sleep" his husband chastised and something inside him broke.
"What?"
The room was cloaked in darkness so Chanyeol couldn't possibly see his injuries or realise the wrecked state he was in. But couldn't he understand that something was wrong from Sehun's voice? It's not like they were strangers who couldn't even recognise the changes in each others demeanor. He guessed it didn't matter like everything else.
"Why do you always make me repeat myself?" Chanyeol sighed and his words came out slightly slurred.
"Where were you?" Sehun demanded.
"It might be hard for pampered prima Donna's to comprehend but some of us have responsibilities that require working late into the night" he remarked condescendingly.
"Is that why you drank? Because it's your responsibility?" Sehun sneered venomously.
"I'm not drunk" Chanyeol stepped closer to the bed and peered down at the distressed omega.
"And I'm not stupid"
"Another thing we can't agree on" Chanyeol commented.
"Is this fun?" Sehun clenched his fists, ready to swing.
"What?"
"Does it make you feel better about yourself when you treat me like I'm no better than nuisance that you can't wait to get rid of?"
"I'm not in the mood for your theatrics Sehun"
"You can't bear to be in the same room as me but you don't mind spending hours drinking with God knows who"
"I told you I was working" Chanyeol glared.
"Then why the fuck do I smell alcohol and someone's else perfume?" Sehun shouted.
"It's none of your business."
"Like it or not, you made it my business when your married me"
"We may be married but we're not together" Chanyeol bellowed.
"You're the one who didn't have the balls to say no to your parents so what gives you the right to treat me like shit? If anything I should be blaming you for ruining my life and destroying my every chance at happiness" Sehun flung back.
"I ruined your life? Well that's rich" Chanyeol scoffed throwing his undone tie.
"I barely sleep anymore Chanyeol. All my friends pity me and your sister worries that I'm unhappy. I don't dare do anything that would displease you because I don't want you to hate me anymore than you already do"
"How is that my fault? Do you think I enjoy this? I'm doing everything I can Sehun. What more do you want?" he frowned.
"I want you to act like my fucking husband and if that's too much to ask, at least act like a fucking human being Chanyeol" he said kneeling until he was staring directly into his husband's face.
Sehun felt stupid for even expecting Chanyeol to care. He knew better than this but here he was seconds away from crying not because he was attacked tonight but because his alpha had hurt him. Yet again. There was really nothing that could fix their relationship anymore. Chanyeol didn't care no matter what and Sehun cared too much. Their equation didn't add up with or without the variables.
"Can you stop being dramatic for one second?" Chanyeol pulled Sehun back by his arm roughly while he tried to leave and he felt the pain spread through him like wildfire. He buckled to his knees but Chanyeol held his arm and he was in agony.
"Let go" Sehun cried.
"Sehun…what's wrong?" Chanyeol said switching on the lights. He bit the inside ofhis cheek until he tasted blood and fought off the wave of nausea. It took a moment for Chanyeol to make sense of the scene in front of him.
"What happened to you?" the alpha crouched before him.
Sehun stayed deathly still and cradled his arm to his chest, willing the pain to subside.
"Sehun what happened?" Chanyeol worried, lifting his chin up to scrutinize his face.
"Nothing" Sehun sniffled.
"This is not the time to be childish. Why are you crying? Why is there blood on your hand? What's wrong?" the alpha snapped shaking him by the shoulder.
"I fell while I was biking"
"Sehun if you lie one more time I'll call everyone you know until I find someone who can tell me what happened" Chanyeol threatened grimly.
"I'm not lying"
"How did you get these marks then?" Chanyeol prodded as his fingers brushed across his bruised neck.
"I don't want to talk about it"
"You have no choice but to" he insisted.
"How is it any of your business? You've made it plenty obvious that you want nothing to do with me. Even when I get attacked by some crazy asshole it's not going to make a dent in your life so just let me be. Like you always have"
"What?"
"Oh for fucks sake! A man attacked me today because I apparently reeked of someone's scent and slashed my hand while he was at it" Sehun sneered trying to put some venom into his words but he failed as memories of the incident flooded into his brain. He grit his teeth and stood up abruptly pushing Chanyeol off him.
"Who was it?" Chanyeol's tone was so monotonous and controlled it annoyed Sehun. Even in moments like this his husband could remain calm and collected.
"I was too busy trying to survive so I didn't get his number or picture"
"Why didn't you call me?"
"Why would I? I know deep inside it would have made you happy if he'd gone all the way and finished the job" Sehun said cynically.
He knew he was crossing lines and blaming Chanyeol for something he wasn't responsible for but Sehun had lost sense of reason. All his frustration and anger needed an outlet. Chanyeol just happened to be there.
"I know you don't mean that" Chanyeol said wrapping his fingers around Sehun's wrist and he felt enraged at how sure the alpha was. He launched himself at Chanyeol, smacking any part of his body he could touch.
"You asshole. This is all your fault! I was so scared and helpless. Why weren't you there? Why didn't you help me? I hate you so fucking much" Sehun accused relentlessly.
"Sehun calm down" Chanyeol said, gathering both of his hands in one of his.
Suddenly Sehun stopped struggling. He became pliant and malleable in Chanyeol's arms. What was this feeling? His senses seemed muddled and he couldn't remember what he was so angry about. He could recount his encounter with the attacker but it didn't scare him. He almost seemed detached from the experience. As if he were a passerby that had witnessed it instead of the victim. What was happening?
"Stop doing that" Sehun shouted, realising that the cruel alpha was smearing his pheromones onto the exposed parts of his body. It was a technique alphas used to control their mate's emotions and Sehun couldn't believe Chanyeol had the audacity to use it on him.
"You're absolutely hysterical. I don't want you to hurt yourself" Chanyeol said in the most soothing voice he had ever heard and it riled Sehun.
"Chanyeol you can't do this to me! How dare you try to placate my emotions with your pheromones. You're sick" Sehun exclaimed, struggling to clear his head but he was lulled into drowsiness. He faintly heard something that sounded like an apology from Chanyeol's mouth but he was too far gone.