CHAPTER 94: ANOTHER HURDLE

OH, Hyung is horny again.

Garam could tell by how Song Sihyuk’s pheromones suddenly got stronger.

But, to be fair, it was obvious even without the Alpha’s scent.

Hyung is looking at me as if he’s already stripping me naked in his head.

"Garam-ah, you didn’t tell me you were going to dye your hair."

"Do I need Hyung’s permission before I dye my hair?" Garam asked, confused. "Am I not allowed to dye my hair?"

"No, it’s not like that," Song Sihyuk denied while walking towards him, and then he grabbed Garam’s waist. "I just wish you had informed me in advance, so I could have prepared my heart."

"Prepare your heart for what?"

"For how prettier you have become. You almost gave me a heart attack, babe."

Pfft.

That was corny, but also sweet.

"Is it safe to assume that my new hair color suits me, Hyung?"

"Yeah, it suits you so well that I already dread the moment you reveal your new look to the public," Song Sihyuk said, frowning. "What if your fans fall in love with you even more?"

"Then that’s good for me," Garam said, grinning. "That will guarantee the success of my solo debut."

"Don’t you feel bad for your husband?"

"Hyung, are you going to sulk again?"

"I don’t sulk."

Aigooya.

Time to pull out my secret weapon at times like this.

"I was gonna ask Hyung to take a bath with me, but it seems like you’re not in the mood..."

"Yah. When did I say I wasn’t in the mood?" Song Sihyuk complained, suddenly lifting Garam so effortlessly. "I’m always in the mood to take a bath with you, Lim Garam."

"Good," Garam said, wrapping his arms around Song Sihyuk’s neck while wrapping his legs around the Alpha’s waist. "The company sent me a sample of the bath bomb that will be included in my album, so I want to try it."

The Alpha looked confused, and then he asked questions while heading towards their bedroom since they had their own bathroom there. "A bath bomb? You’ll include a bath bomb in your album? As in a real bath bomb?"

Oh.

Hyung must not be familiar with album inclusions since he’s not an idol fan.

But, come to think of it, maybe a bath bomb as an album inclusion wasn’t common in the first place.

Which is perfect because I want my album to be unique.

"My album is called ’Drowning’ while the title track is called ’Siren.’ Naturally, my album will have many elements that involve water. Especially in the MV," Garam explained excitedly, tightening his hold around his husband’s body when he started climbing the staircase. "I haven’t filmed it yet, but there will be a scene in the MV where I’m drowning in a tub filled with red water. It’s the highlight of the MV. So, I thought, why not include a bath bomb in my album?"

"It was your idea?"

"Yes, Hyung. Isn’t my idea amazing?"

Song Sihyuk chuckled. "I like your weird brain very much, Garam-ah."

"Thank you, Hyung," Garam said, smiling. And then his smile disappeared before his brows furrowed, slightly confused. "That was a compliment, right?"

And Song Sihyuk suddenly burst out laughing.

Hyung’s sense of humor is really broken.

***

THE BATH BOMB was perfect— it was strongly scented, and it made the bath lovely and relaxing.

I also like how it turned the water completely red.

Garam made a mental note to inform his company that the bath bomb was alright.

But I’ll do that later.

For now, he had a big baby he needed to take care of.

"Hyung, it’s fine," Garam said while watching Song Sihyuk apply ice compress on the bruises on his knees and legs. The ice pack was even wrapped in a towel. "Those are just bruises that I got from practicing."

The choreography for ’Siren’ was quite difficult since it involved a lot of kneeling and sliding on the floor.

Hence, the bruises.

"What kind of choreography requires you to break your kneecaps?"

Aigooya.

"Hyung, you’re overreacting again. There are just a few knee slides in the choreo— I’m not breaking my kneecaps. I won’t die from a few bruises."

Song Sihyuk let out a frustrated sigh, and then he lifted his head to meet Garam’s gaze. "Your body must be aching. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have..."

The Alpha didn’t get to finish his sentence as he let out another long sigh.

But Garam understood.

Hyung and I did some nasty stuff in the bath earlier— before he noticed the bruises on my knees and legs. He probably feels guilty since I even bumped the back of my head against the wall when we were being intimate.

"It’s okay, Hyung," Garam assured his husband. "I know my body. Plus, I know what would happen when I asked you to join me in the shower."

"Still, I should have been considerate," Song Sihyuk said, his voice full of remorse. "I won’t touch you until your album preparations are done, Garam-ah."

"Really, Hyung?"

"Except kisses and hugs and a few gropes, of course."

Pfft.

"I’d appreciate that, Hyung," Garam said sincerely. "Honestly, I’ll be really busy starting tomorrow. Aside from my album preparations, I’m also going to start filming for commercials and variety shows where I’m scheduled to appear."

"My poor baby. Will you be fine?"

"Of course, Hyung. I’m actually excited to work."

"I already miss you, Garam-ah."

"You’re so clingy, Hyung."

"Any Alpha in their right mind who has a pretty Omega like you will be clingy, too."

Aigooya.

"But you’re also busy, Hyung. I’m sure you won’t miss me that much."

"Don’t underestimate my obsession with you, Lim Garam."

Pfft.

"Let’s make it up to each other later, Hyung," Garam said, opening his arms. "Come here, Hyung. I only have three hours left to sleep, so let’s start cuddling now."

"Just three hours of sleep?" Song Sihyuk placed the iced pack on the bedside table before gathering Garam in his arms. "Don’t get sick, Garam-ah. If you get sick from working too hard, I’ll burn down your company."

Aigooya.

***

ON THE first day of Garam’s MV filming, his younger members visited him.

Lee Eunsang, Finn, and Kwon Jigu even brought a food truck and a coffee truck for him and the entire staff.

They visited because they wanted to play on the beach.

Yes, the location of the shooting was a private beach in Busan.

Of course, they took a picture together to update their fans.

And to show off our friendship, of course.

After all, not all members of each group were friends with each other.

And that’s okay since at the end of the day, idols in a group are just coworkers. Fortunately, I lucked out and got in a team where all the members get along well with each other.

"Hyung, did someone else send you a food truck already?" Finn asked curiously while looking at the fancy bento box on Garam’s table. "That bento box is from a famous Japanese restaurant. I didn’t even know they deliver food."

Oh.

Garam’s fancy bento box was actually from Song Sihyuk.

Hyung always sends delicious food for me and the entire staff.

Of course, the crew thought the food was provided by the company.

"It’s from my boyfriend," Garam said shyly. No one was within earshot, so he didn’t hesitate to reveal the truth to his younger members. "My boyfriend always sends food and drinks for me and the staff whenever I have a schedule."

But, of course, my food is always more special than the others.

"Hyung’s boyfriend must really be rich rich," Finn commented, nodding. "I’m glad that he’s generous to you."

Right?

Kwon Jigu nodded in agreement. "Hyung doesn’t spend money on yourself, so it’s a relief to see someone treating you well."

Riiight?

"Now I’m curious about Hyung’s boyfriend," Lee Eunsang said, clinging to Garam’s arm. "We want to thank him for taking care of you, Garam Hyung."

You will be shocked once you find out that my boyfriend is a chaebol.

"Soon," Garam promised his younger members. "You’ll meet my boyfriend soon."

***

THE LAST scene for the MV that Garam had to shoot was the scene where he’d drown in a tub full of red water.

No, it’s not blood.

Anyway, the location this time was indoor.

To be precise, a studio.

The staff created an entire fancy bedroom set-up just for the bathtub scene.

I can tell that the budget is ’budgeting.’

"Garam-ssi, here," Shin Junho, their team manager, said while wrapping Garam in a warm towel. The other kids didn’t have a schedule that day, so Shin Junho accompanied him to his shooting. "You did well. I almost cried while watching your bathtub scene."

Aww.

Garam smiled, touched by the compliment. "Thank you, Hyung."

Now getting soaked in the bathtub for hours felt like it was worth it.

I hope the fans like it.

"Sir, I’ll escort you to the car."

Hmm?

Garam was supposed to have lunch before the filming resumed, so he was confused as to why Shin Geon— his manager-slash-bodyguard— suddenly said he’d escort him to the car.

Why do I need... oh.

His face beamed when the realization finally hit him.

"Lead the way, Hyung."

Garam then followed Shin Geon to the parking lot.

He immediately recognized Song Sihyuk’s car, but Shin Geon opened the door to Garam’s fancy and big SUV.

Oh, Hyung is there.

"Junho Hyung, can you make an excuse if the staff members look for me?"

"Of course, Garam-ssi," Shin Junho said, smiling and nodding. "I’ll take care of everything."

"Thank you, Hyung."

After Garam thanked Shin Junho and Shin Geon, he finally entered the SUV.

His bodyguard closed the door before leaving.

But I’m sure Geon Hyung will still keep an eye on us from a safe distance.

"Hyung, why the sudden surprise?"

Song Sihyuk frowned immediately when he noticed that Garam was soaked. "Should I turn off the AC?"

"It’s alright, Hyung," Garam said while shaking his head. "I thought you’d leave for Japan today."

Yes, his husband was busy ’touring’ Asia these days.

Hyung is often out of the country for work.

"I still have time before my flight," Song Sihyuk said, cupping Garam’s face between his hands as if he were trying to keep his cheeks warm. "I just want to check on you before I leave. Today is your last day of filming, right?"

"Yes, Hyung."

"Congratulations," Song Sihyuk said, then he moved and grabbed the huge bouquet of red roses from the backseat. "You did well, babe."

Aww.

Garam couldn’t help but smile as he hugged the huge bouquet of beautiful red roses. "Thank you, Hyung," he said sincerely. "I just gained more strength to work harder and make sure my solo debut will be a success."

"Aw. My baby is confident, huh?" Song Sihyuk teased Garam, and then he kissed him on the forehead. "I’ll congratulate you in advance then, Garam-ah."

Two months later, that confidence had quickly crumbled with just one piece of news.

***

GARAM spent the next two months shooting album jackets, doing pictorials for different magazines, filming commercials for his new brand deals, and appearing on different variety shows and radio programs.

To simply put, he barely had time to breathe.

But everything started to slow down two weeks before his solo debut.

That was when his company started releasing teasers for his album.

The night Garam’s first concept photo was released— a photo of him floating on the water with his eyes closed, wearing a see-through white shirt.

His fans went wild and his photo went viral instantly.

He was relieved by the overwhelming positive reactions from the fandom.

But that feeling was short-lived.

Cindy (real name: Kang Aera)— the country’s top female soloist for more than a decade now— had also released a teaser of her surprise comeback.

"We’ve been planning my solo debut way before I entered the military," Garam said to his team. He didn’t want to snap because he knew the new problem was out of their control. But he couldn’t help but feel upset. "How did no one know that Cindy Sunbae-nim is having her long-awaited comeback on the very same day of my solo debut?"

It wasn’t a matter of confidence.

Cindy Sunbae-nim is both a digital and a physical sales monster, and the general public LOVES her!

Garam could already see his first solo debut flopping.

***

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