Suho sat at his desk, surrounded by documents, screens lit up, and the low hum of the air conditioner. A week had passed since that night. Since Yerin's voice had cracked in front of him… since he'd walked away with a heart that felt stitched and torn at the same time.
He had tried to bury it. Tried to drown the leftover ache in work, in routine… in Hauen's love. And she had done everything, absolutely everything, to hold him steady. Her soft touches, loud, expressive affection, jokes she repeated until he laughed, warmth she poured into him without waiting to be asked, her fierce way of loving. She had been right there, trying to keep him from sinking back into that old storm.
Yet the more she tried to pull him toward the light, the heavier the guilt sat in his chest. A guilt that rubbed at him like an old bruise. For still feeling something for a woman who was no longer his. For not giving Hauen the complete heart she deserved. For trying his best… and still feeling like he was failing.
His eyes drifted unconsciously toward the picture frame beside his computer. Hauen's smile beamed back at him, bright, soft, endlessly patient. Something gentle washed over his chest. The heaviness lightened. His breath came easier.
His lips curved into a small, helpless smile. She always did that to him, even when he didn't deserve it. Without thinking too hard, he grabbed his phone and dialed her number.
The line clicked.
"Ye… Suho-ssi," her voice chimed, warm as sunlight.
"Baap mogolle (Did you eat)?" he asked quietly.
"Not yet," she replied dramatically. "I'm waiting for my handsome husband to come home and feed me."
His lips twitched. A helpless chuckle slipped out as he looked down, shaking his head at her childish tone.
"You're being a brat again," he muttered, the faintest whine in his voice. "I just cared for you. If you're okay or not."
She laughed softly. "Come to the point, Teddy. Did you miss me already?"
He smiled, chewing lightly on his lower lip as if it were anchoring him. "Actually… okay," he murmured. "I'm about to finish today's work. Be ready by evening. We're going on a date."
"Date…?" she dragged, stretching the word like taffy. "All of a sudden?"
"Yeah… I want to spend some us time."
"Us time?" she repeated, wickedness dripping from her voice. "Just say you want to spend some private time with me."
"Yaa... Hauenaa…" he groaned. "You understand what I mean. Then why tease me intentionally?"
Her chuckle slipped through the speaker like a warm breeze. "I want to hear the things properly from your mouth, Teddy."
He nearly dropped his forehead to his keyboard. "Fine. I want to spend time with you. Be ready this evening, I'm coming."
"Hmm… there was no love in your voice. I'm not interested," she declared, dramatically turning her face away.
This time, he did bump his head against the table edge. Once. Twice. Quietly suffering.
"Why did I call you, though…? I regret it," he muttered, voice defeated, melting with adorable frustration.
Her laughter came silent but unmistakably bright through the line, sparkling with affection at his misery.
"Say it properly," she insisted, all smug sweetness. "Then only I'm coming."
Suho pressed his lips together, inhaling as if he were about to confess before a firing squad.He adjusted his collar, cleared his throat, and gathered whatever dignity he still had left. His voice dropped low, warm, earnest… and just a little flustered.
"Jagiya…" he began softly.
"Ye, yeobo," she replied, all sweet mischief.
"Be ready this evening. I'm taking you on a date."
"Why?" she asked, stretching his patience like a rubber band ready to snap.
He exhaled, eyes shutting for a second as if gathering inner peace. "I want to spend some time with you, Jagi," he admitted, voice gentle, honest.
She chuckled, that honey-dipped sound she saved only for him. "Oh, really…? Okay, fine. I'll get ready."
He smiled, flustered, gaze dropping to his desk. Warmth bloomed on his face before he could stop it. "Saranghae…" He said, soft and playful.
Her giggles crackled through the device, bright enough to soften his entire mood.
"Saranghae, Yeobo." She replied.
"Fine now?" he asked, pretending to sound annoyed but failing miserably.
"Very much," she replied.
"Okay… I have a meeting now. After that, I'm coming to pick you up," he said.
"Hmmm," she hummed, satisfied.
The call ended, leaving him smiling like a quiet fool at his desk. She always teased him whenever he called her during office hours. Always got under his skin in the sweetest way.
And maybe… he liked that more than he would ever admit.
The Date
He took her to a warm, intimate rooftop restaurant. Nothing flashy. Soft music, people minding their own lives, lanterns swaying gently with the wind. A place chosen intentionally. A place where he could spend some quality time with her.
As soon as the waiter left with their order, Suho looked at her, "Did you like the place?" he asked gently.
She smiled, "Of course, this is cozy and intimate. I like the vibe here." She said.
"I didn't plan this grandly. I just… wanted a quiet evening. With you. Without thinking about anything else." He said honestly.
She smiled and leaned forward... "I liked it, Teddy. I didn't want anything grand either."
He smiled faintly, shoulders loosening as if she had just lifted half his weight.
As soon as the food arrived, she lifted a forkful of her pasta to his lips. He took the bite and immediately made a face, purely for drama.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "That's a lie. You're pretending, husband."
He chuckled, leaning closer with that velvet-soft voice. "Everything tastes better when it's from my Hauenie's hand. But don't get used to it, Jagi. Sometimes food tastes terrible, and I still eat it out of love… like this pasta." He teased again, eyes sparkling.
She fed him another bite anyway. "Too late. Now you're finishing it."
"My bad..." he sighed dramatically. She just flicked his wrist, earning a beautiful giggle from him.
They talked about small things, about the office things, the new perfume she tried and hated, and a meme she sent him that he forgot to reply to. Their laughter blended with the soft clinking of plates around them.
They slipped into easy conversation, office chaos, the new perfume she tried and instantly regretted, and the meme she sent him that he conveniently forgot to reply to. Their laughter blended with the gentle clinks of cutlery and the hum of soft jazz, creating their own little bubble in the middle of a crowded room.
After dinner, he took her to the quiet lakeside. The night was chilly, a soft breeze threading through their hair as they walked side by side, their hands brushing now and then.
Then, out of nowhere, he tugged her wrist gently.
"Wait."
"Hm?"
He stepped closer, slid his hands over hers, and tucked both her hands into the warm pockets of her jacket. Before she could process it, his arms circled her waist, pulling her into him. His chin rested on her shoulder, her small stray hair brushing his cheek. She smiled without meaning to.
"Hmmm… this is so warm and cozy," he murmured, satisfied, tightening his hold like he was claiming the night itself.
She laughed softly. "You're crushing my stomach, Teddy. I ate too much. I'm bloating."
He turned his face slightly, lips curved with that tiny, unbothered, devastating smile. "Don't worry. I love it when your belly is full. Round. Soft. A perfect view when I'm loving you."
The way he said it, calm, blunt, under the dim golden glow, her jaw dropped. She elbowed him on instinct, earning a little pained laugh.
"Ayy… you're wild sometimes," he winced dramatically, but still pulled her right back against him, reclaiming his spot on her shoulder.
She stared at him, still flustered at his remark, while he stood there utterly calm. There was a hidden side of him, bold, shamelessly flirty, unexpectedly blunt. It rarely surfaced, but whenever it did, it left her flustered and burning in the sweetest way.