With Hakyung’s soft humming serving as gentle background music, a cheerful, almost unconscious melody, Muheon and Hakyung finished their meal together.
Their quiet laughter mingled with the subtle, pleasing sounds of cutlery on plates, creating a serene atmosphere.
After clearing the last bite, leaving their lunchbox neatly packed, they stood up and descended the stairs to the office hand in hand, their fingers intertwined tightly as if unwilling to let go even for a moment.
It was such a sweet and familiar scene, repeated every morning without fail, a comforting ritual, that all the employees glanced up briefly, a flicker of acknowledgement in their eyes, but quickly returned to their work, trying hard not to react too openly or let their curiosity show.
The unwritten rule of discretion was firmly in place.
Still, as Muheon stood behind Hakyung—who had just settled into the chair at the desk and was busy booting up the computer, the gentle hum of the machine filling the air—his gaze lingered a little longer than usual, a subtle shift in his posture.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the eyes of everyone in the room began to drift towards the two men, their attention drawn by the unspoken tension.
The usual hum of busyness started to wane, and the clatter of keyboards and mouse clicks gradually softened as the employees unconsciously held their breath, anticipating something.
They were used to seeing Muheon and Hakyung hold hands when coming down from breakfast, a daily display of affection, but a man—especially the revered master of the West Sea, known for his stoic demeanor—standing so close behind the CEO like that was a different matter entirely.
The atmosphere shifted, becoming charged with unspoken questions, as murmurs began circulating quietly, barely audible but unmistakable.
“Hmm…? Did Hakyung say he was going to do something for you?” someone whispered, their voice hushed, barely reaching beyond their cubicle.
“If he was planning to do something, it’d be in the bedroom, not here, right? Ahem!” another voice added with a playful grin, a teasing glint in their eye.
The employees immediately flushed with embarrassment, secretly imagining what intimate scenes could be going on behind closed doors between the powerful leader and his charming, puppy-like lover.
Even though Muheon was respected and admired as a powerful leader, a figure of authority, nobody wanted to delve too deeply on the private side of his relationship, finding it both intriguing and slightly scandalous.
Just when everyone was trying to keep their thoughts discreet—and their cheeks less red—Muheon’s behavior suddenly shifted, catching everyone completely off guard.
He disregarded the unspoken rules of the workplace, his focus solely on Hakyung.
The bravest among the employees, Gang Dolphin, swallowed his nervousness, a perceptible gulp, and called out, unable to hide his burning curiosity.
“Boss, aren’t you working? Why are you standing behind me like that?”
Muheon lightly tapped the brim of his hat, a sly smile spreading across his face, a secretive, knowing look, as he responded simply, “Just because I like Kang Hakyung.”
His words were direct, unapologetic, and completely disarming.
“W-what?! That’s obvious… I-is that so!” Hakyung stammered, caught off guard by the unexpected directness and public declaration of Muheon’s words.
His response came out in a half-sentence, a clumsy attempt to regain his composure, the heat rising to his face instantly, painting his cheeks a deep crimson.
Meanwhile, the other employees struggled to maintain their professionalism.
They took deep, steadying breaths as they tried not to react to the bold and affectionate display unfolding in front of them, a spectacle both admirable and utterly bewildering.
The room was thick with a strange mixture of awe and awkwardness, a palpable tension.
Muheon, however, remained completely unfazed by the gasps and glances around him, the murmurs and silent judgments.
Without a hint of embarrassment, he leaned forward, wrapping his broad body protectively around Hakyung’s back and propping himself up on the desk with one hand, his arm a strong, reassuring bar behind Hakyung.
The protective embrace caused Hakyung to flinch slightly, startled by the sudden pressure on his shoulders just as the computer program began to start, its mechanical whir a stark contrast to the emotional intensity.
Muheon’s voice dropped to a soft whisper, warm and intimate, so close to Hakyung’s ear that it made his skin tingle, sending delightful shivers down his spine, “Shall we skip work and go out somewhere?”
The suggestion was tempting, whispered like a secret invitation.
“A-ah, no, of course not,” Hakyung quickly answered, his voice a mix of nervousness and denial, a desperate attempt to sound resolute.|
It had only been a week since they last took time off to go to the sea together.
Even though Muheon was the boss, the undisputed leader, Hakyung knew the older employees would not look favorably on skipping work again so soon, a perceived indulgence.
He glanced nervously at the senior staff nearby, hoping to break free from Muheon’s firm grasp, to convey his discomfort with the public display.
But Muheon’s arms remained strong and unyielding, the muscles beneath his sleeves tense and unwavering, holding Hakyung securely.
Feeling the solid strength of those arms made saliva almost drip from Hakyung’s lips, a physical reaction to the intense emotions, and he had to work hard to regain his composure.
Finally, he shook his head slightly and whispered, “Save those cool displays of affection for when it’s just the two of us!”
“Too bad,” Muheon replied, a teasing glint in his eye, a hint of playful disappointment.
He was clearly enjoying Hakyung’s flustered reaction.
Hakyung gently tapped the large back of Muheon’s hand resting on the desk, signaling him to retreat quickly, a silent plea for normalcy.
Slowly, with an exaggerated sigh of regret that was almost a performance, Muheon rose, his longing evident but controlled, a flicker of his true desires in his eyes.
His hands itched to pull Hakyung close again, to take him straight to his underwater palace where no one else could see them, where they could be truly free.
But he clenched his fists tightly, holding back his desires, a testament to his self-control, and turned toward the CEO’s office door.
Before entering, he didn’t forget to send a quick, almost imperceptible call to Sang-oh, a silent instruction.
Sang-oh, who had momentarily lost focus along with the other employees due to Muheon’s unabashed display of affection, immediately caught the signal and followed him obediently, stepping briskly into the office.
As the door to the CEO’s office closed behind them with a soft click, creating a private sanctuary, Muheon’s voice filled the room with quiet authority. “Is everything ready?”
“Yes, almost done,” Sang-oh answered, his tone steady but eager, understanding the urgency in Muheon’s voice.
“How many days left?” Muheon asked, raising a single eyebrow, his impatience palpable.
“Looks like it’ll be perfectly finished by next week,” came the reply, a confident assurance.
Muheon’s finger tapping on the desk quickened in tempo, a rapid, almost frantic rhythm, reflecting the impatience swelling inside him.
Time seemed to slow to an unbearable crawl now that he knew Hakyung could stay in the sea by taking medicine, that their complete union was within reach.
Each second stretched endlessly like years, despite Muheon’s centuries of life without such emotional turmoil.
Anxiety consumed him completely, a powerful, unfamiliar emotion.
He desperately wanted to place Kang Hakyung deep beneath the ocean waves, somewhere no one could interfere, a secluded, sacred space.
Matching Muheon’s rapid tapping, Sang-oh’s heartbeat also quickened, sensing the growing tension, the intense focus radiating from his boss.
Looking at Muheon’s intense expression, there was only one conclusion to be drawn, “Did Kang Dolphin finally eat?”
Sang-oh ventured, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
“Hmm,” Muheon answered with a small, satisfied smile curling the corners of his mouth, a rare display of deep contentment.
The satisfaction on his face was unmistakable, causing Sang-oh’s tense expression to soften, melting into one of shared joy.
He let out a hearty laugh, puffing out his broad chest proudly at having played a part in Muheon’s contentment.
“That guy’s amazing! I thought he’d be scared and take much longer,” Sang-oh said, clearly impressed by Hakyung’s progress.
“So report as soon as it’s ready,” Muheon ordered, his voice crisp, decisive.
“Understood! Don’t worry!” Sang-oh replied loudly, his voice booming with confidence, walking confidently out of the CEO’s office, ready to expedite the final preparations.
***
Fortunately, grandmother’s fractured bone was healing well, a slow but steady recovery.
After hearing the doctor’s opinion that if it stayed fixed for about a month more, it would be perfectly fine, Hakyung let out a huge sigh of relief.
The burden of worry that had weighed heavily on him finally began to lift.
Though grandmother often scolded him for bringing his lover down on weekends despite her busy company schedule, a playful but persistent complaint, Hakyung paid little mind to her grievances.
To him, grandmother was more than both a mother and father combined—her importance was immeasurable, her love a guiding force.
He didn’t mind visiting her every day if that was what it took, her well-being his top priority.
“Grandma, this is sea spider crab, this is abalone, and this is octopus, okay? The older brothers sent lots of good things so you can get well quickly,” Hakyung said with a smile, pointing to the fresh seafood delicacies laid out in front of them, a vibrant array of ocean treasures.
“That’s wonderful. Tell them thank you. They gave such precious things,” grandmother replied sincerely, a rare softness in her voice as she appreciated the thoughtful gifts from Hakyung’s colleagues.
Usually, she rarely ate things from the sea, a preference for terrestrial foods, but today she seemed genuinely grateful for the thoughtful presents, recognizing the effort behind them.
Next to her, Hakyung slipped sea salt chocolates into her pocket—small, delicious treats that could be enjoyed anytime, a little bit of the ocean’s sweetness to balance the savories.
“These are delicious snacks from the sea, too.”
While grandmother and grandson chatted softly over the delicious food, their voices a comfortable murmur, Muheon suddenly knelt down beside Hakyung.
The movement was fluid, graceful, yet utterly commanding.
Despite the quiet atmosphere, Muheon’s naturally large and commanding presence was impossible to ignore, filling the space around them.
When he knelt, both grandmother and Hakyung’s eyes widened simultaneously as they turned to look at him in surprise, their conversation abruptly ceasing.
Especially grandmother, who looked like she might lower herself to kneel as well, a subconscious difference to Muheon’s presence.
Sensing this, Hakyung quickly grabbed the thick thigh of the boss and asked anxiously, “Boss, why are you kneeling all of a sudden?”
“Y-Yeah! Why are you doing that?” grandmother echoed, her unease growing with Muheon’s strange mood and serious expression.
The air in the room seemed to thicken with unspoken meaning.
Though she was older than Hakyung, who was just in his early twenties, she was much younger than Muheon—and meeting his gaze was never easy, especially at moments like this, when his eyes held such intensity.
“Maybe you’ve heard from Hakyung, but I’m planning to take him to the sea,” Muheon began calmly, his voice a low, steady rumble, addressing the grandmother directly.
“Uh… Y-Yeah, I heard,” grandmother replied cautiously, her eyes flickering between Muheon and Hakyung.
She was the very person who had scolded Hakyung just a few days ago when he was scared and hesitating about going to the sea, the one who had made him cry with her tough love.
So, she had already guessed that he’d be taking his lover to the sea soon, knowing his determination.
Though worried because of Hakyung’s lingering fear of the sea, she wasn’t too anxious, knowing that Muheon was such a reliable and caring boyfriend.
But then Muheon’s next words hit like a thunderclap, echoing in the quiet room, completely unexpected and utterly profound.
“As soon as we get to the sea, we’re planning to get married.”
“What?!” the grandmother gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock.
“What the heck?!” Hakyung shouted in shock, his own voice a mixture of disbelief and utter astonishment.
The bombshell caused both grandmother and grandson to shout almost simultaneously, their hearts pounding wildly in unison, their reactions mirroring each other perfectly.
“Hakyung, why are you reacting like that?!” grandmother asked, bewildered, turning her surprised gaze to her grandson.
While she was understandably surprised by the sudden mention of marriage, seeing Hakyung’s wide-eyed, almost panicked reaction made her turn her gaze fully to him, questioning his stance.
Though grandmother gave him a look of bewilderment, Hakyung had no time to care.
The word “marriage” spun wildly through his mind, a dizzying whirlwind of possibilities, making his limbs tingle and his skin flush hot with a mixture of excitement and indignation.
He was annoyed that Muheon had dropped such a huge decision without discussing it with him first, a major life choice sprung upon him, but at the same time, his heart fluttered uncontrollably because of Muheon’s strong, charismatic presence, his decisive nature.
“Well, you know, marriage isn’t something you decide easily! And even though we’re beastkin, same-sex marriage isn’t exactly simple, right? And, well, isn’t it more common these days to not marry?” Hakyung stammered, trying to rationalize his surprise, throwing out every argument he could think of.
“Grandma, I’m not against marriage!” he added quickly, wanting to clarify his position, worried she might misunderstand his flustered reaction.
The clueless grandson suddenly linked arms with his lover, pressing close, and rebutted the grandmother’s surprised expression, a defiant gesture.
“So you’re saying you’re planning to get married? Right now?!” she asked again, incredulous, demanding a clear answer.
“Uh, well… If the boss asks, I’m all for it,” Hakyung said shyly, rubbing his cheek against Muheon’s arm, a soft, intimate gesture that spoke volumes.
Oh my, that time when the boss said let’s go to the sea was actually a proposal!
That pearl he gave was actually a ring substitute!
The realization dawned on him, clicking into place. Without needing words, the boss had simply shown his intentions through his actions — so cool and confident!
Seeing the love shining clearly in Hakyung’s eyes, undeniable and radiant, the grandmother let out a wry laugh, a sound that held both amusement and a touch of exasperation.
She couldn’t understand why the kid—barely an adult, still so young and impulsive—was already thinking about legally binding himself to someone forever.
Of course, the boyfriend was handsome, caring, capable, and seemed to have a good personality.
A truly impressive man, she admitted.
But still!
What?
She hadn’t even known her cute grandson for a full year, and now he was already planning to take him away forever?
The thought was jarring, a sudden emptiness.
The grandmother’s eyebrows furrowed slowly in thought, a complex array of emotions playing across her face.
When Hakyung first brought his lover home, she hadn’t disliked it, sensing the deep affection between them.
But now, thinking he might be gone for life, truly gone from her daily presence, something inside her felt unsettled, a maternal possessiveness stirring.
“Hakyung, you haven’t even been with your boyfriend for a year, and you’re wagging your tail like a puppy, saying you want to get married?!” she scolded, her voice sharp with a mix of exasperation and affection.
“W-Who said that?!” Hakyung shot back, flustered, denying the obvious truth.
“Just now, that’s what you said!” grandmother retorted sharply, pointing an accusing finger at him.
If her leg hadn’t been injured, the grandmother would’ve slapped Hakyung’s back right then and there, a playful but firm swat, her fierce expression enough to scare anyone.
Meanwhile, Muheon simply smiled happily, completely smitten, his eyes fixed on Hakyung, oblivious to the grandmother’s scolding.
Hakyung, seriously — do you even have a tail or not?
It seemed to be wagging furiously.