Night had already settled by the time Suho slipped his key into the hotel door.
The lock clicked softly.
He stepped inside with a bouquet cradled in one arm, the faint scent of fresh flowers following him in. The room was dim, lit only by the glow of the television. A movie played on low volume, forgotten.
And there she was.
Curled on the bed, blanket half pulled over her, breathing slow and even. Completely asleep.
Suho's shoulders loosened the moment he saw her.
A quiet smile curved his lips as he closed the door behind him, careful not to make a sound. He slipped off his blazer, placed it neatly on the chair, then crossed the room on light steps. Switched off the TV and climbed onto the bed beside her with careful movements.
She didn't stir.
For a moment, he just looked at her. Peace softened her face, lashes resting against her cheeks, lips slightly parted.
He couldn't resist. Leaning closer, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Then, slowly, he got out of bed and placed the bouquet beside her.
He freshened up quickly and changed into comfortable clothes, careful not to make any noise. When he looked at her again, she was still asleep.
He chuckled to himself, remembering the bold, scandalous messages, shameless words she had sent him typed with confidence and mischief during the event. And now here she was, sleeping so innocently.
The universe really had a sense of humor.
Then suddenly, his phone buzzed loudly.
She stirred.
He shut his eyes in frustration, silently cursing whoever had ruined her peaceful sleep.
He glanced at the caller ID.
Yerin.
Without a second thought, he disconnected the call and put his phone on silent.
"Teddy…" she murmured, sitting up on the bed. "When did you come back? I didn't even realize."
"I came a while ago," he said softly, walking toward her and climbing back onto the bed. He picked up the bouquet and handed it to her. "Here, this is for you."
Her face lit up. "Thank you, husband," bringing the flowers closer. And inhaled the scent. "Mmm… they smell so good."
Suho smiled widely. "You liked it?"
She nodded, smiling back.
He smiled before leaning forward and settling into her embrace, hugging her gently, his head resting against her chest. She smiled at his childlike need for warmth, her hand moving instinctively to him.
"How was your day? How did the event go?" she asked softly.
"It was good… everything went smoothly," he mumbled.
She smiled, relieved. "Did you eat?"
He hummed. "I wanted to have dinner with you. But Kevin insisted on going out with some American business personalities."
"That's okay," she said gently. "I ate too. I was hungry, so I ordered some food."
His head lifted slightly, confused. "But I locked the door. Then how did they deliver the food?"
"They have a spare key, right?" she replied casually.
Suho paused, the realization sinking in. Slowly, he turned to glare at her, eyes narrowing. He didn't say anything.
She chuckled, instantly understanding that look. "Oh, come on, Teddy. Stop worrying now. I'm still here, aren't I?" she teased.
He bit his lip, sulking, clearly unconvinced.
To distract him, she leaned closer, voice dropping into something sweeter. "By the way…"
He glanced up at her.
Her fingers curled into his shirt, pulling him closer. "You forgot about our love night," she whispered.
That did it.
A smile betrayed him instantly, his ears turning red. "Stop…" he whined, embarrassed.
She chuckled. "But you promised me. You better keep your promise."
He looked at her, flustered. "Yah… how can you just— suddenly say like that? I mean… I just came, and we need to be kind of in that mood." He struggled to phrase it right.
She laughed softly. "What mood? Just kiss me once. The mood will come automatically," she said bluntly.
At that point, he regretted promising her something spicy like that. His cheeks warmed as he looked at her, eyes soft.
"Come on, Teddy," she added dramatically. "Kiss me."
He laughed at her silliness. "Yaa... Hauena... Hajima... I'm dying here," he said.
She looked at him pouty.
Instead of kissing her, he immediately pulled her fully onto his lap, holding her close.
"Before that, let me hold my hauenie a little more. Teddy wants to cuddle her now," he said in a babyish voice.
She smiled, instantly melting.
He kissed her cheek, smiling, and wrapped his arms around her tightly, listening to her ramble something silly, sometimes shameless, utterly absurd. And in that moment, holding her like this, he felt nothing but peace.
They stayed tangled together, limbs warm, breaths slow, words drifting between them like shared secrets, talking in low voices about all the lost time, the days that slipped through their fingers. His arms never loosened around her, as if letting go even an inch would cost him something precious.
Then his phone vibrated again. Once. Twice. Persistent.
Suho let out a tired breath, forehead dropping to her shoulder. "Go attend it," Hauen said gently. "It might be something important."
He didn't move. "It must be Yerin," he said after a moment. "She's been calling continuously."
She looked at him for a moment, then spoke softly. "Then attend once…"
He shook his head immediately. "I don't want to." His voice was calm but firm. "And I'm not obligated. I've had enough. I don't want to drain myself emotionally anymore."
"Suho…" she began.
"No, Hauen," he cut in softly, tightening his arms around her. "I don't want to." His cheek pressed against her hair. "I don't want to ruin my mood."
She fell quiet after that. Didn't argue. Didn't push. Just stayed there, breathing with him, letting him choose peace for once.
Minutes passed.
A small smile slowly curved her lips.
He noticed. His eyes lifted, scanning her face. "Why are you smiling?" he asked, still a little grumpy.
She shook her head. "Nothing." Then quietly, honestly, "I just missed this cute bear."
His expression melted instantly, flustered all over again. He buried his face in her shoulder, voice muffled.
"Why did you tell Kevin that teddy bear nickname?" he complained. "He keeps teasing me with that name."
She laughed, her body shaking lightly against his. He pulled back just enough to look at her, lips pressed in a sulky line.
"Don't laugh," he protested. "I don't like it when someone else calls me that."
Hauena smiled, lifting her hand to smooth his hair.
"I just happened to say it once. And he remembered," she said. "He used to refer to you as a teddy bear whenever he gave updates about you."
He stared at her, wounded drama written all over his face. "How cruel," he said slowly. "I was suffering alone… and you guys were watching me suffer."
She narrowed her eyes. "I suffered too," she shot back. "I had to stay away from you while Yerin was desperately trying to pursue you. Imagine how hard that was for me to bear."
He froze for a second, stunned by the jealousy in her tone.
Then a slow, amused smile crept onto his lips. "You were jealous, weren't you?"
She looked away immediately.
He giggled, actually giggled. "You were."
"I was," she admitted, finally looking back at him. "And who wouldn't be? When someone else is trying their best to win your husband, and you can't do anything but stay quiet."
She paused, then added softly, "Especially when it's your husband's ex."
He smiled, eyes tender now. "But your husband was desperately craving for you," he said. "While suffering alone inside."
She looked at him, her expression gentle now.
He leaned in and stole a quick peck from her lips, playful and light.
She smirked. "Don't initiate it if you can't keep your promise, Teddy."
He pulled back, shocked. "What did I do? I just pecked."
She tilted her head, eyes gleaming. "A small spark is enough to ignite a fire, Mr. Kim."
He gasped dramatically, eyes wide.
And she laughed again, completely victorious, while he stared at her like he had married the most dangerous woman in the world and loved every second of it.