"Wow…" Sonny said softly, looking around.
"It's huuuuge… but messy," she added with a small chuckle.
Sunghoon felt his face heat up instantly. Embarrassment crept in as he followed her gaze.. the scattered clothes, the unmade bed visible from the living space, the pile of takeout containers abandoned in the kitchen.
"Yeah…" he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
"It's a bit… chaotic."
A reflection of him, really.
"Okay," Sonny said gently, clapping her hands once.
"Let's get started. You can go shower or rest if you want .. I'll be quick," she added with a playful wink.
The idea of a hot shower tempted him for a second.
But the thought of sitting back while she cleaned up the mess he had created made his chest tighten.
"No," he said firmly.
"I'll help."
Despite the exhaustion weighing him down, he rolled up his sleeves. He couldn't let her do this alone.. not after letting everything fall apart.
She blinked in mild surprise.
"Oh… okay!!"
He started with the clothes scattered across the floor, folding them neatly, stacking them with care. As he worked, he found himself stealing glances at her—at the way she moved with quiet purpose, how naturally she took charge, like she always used to.
Cleaning beside her felt bittersweet.
Every wiped surface, every item put back in place, reminded him of the life they once shared.. the way they used to do these mundane things together without thinking twice.
Guilt settled heavy in his chest.
But alongside it… a fragile glimmer of hope.
"Where's the kitchen, hoon?" Sonny called out.
His heart sank.
That she even had to ask…
He cleared his throat and pointed toward a door at the far end of the room.
"It's… through there," he said sheepishly.
"Perfect," she replied cheerfully.
"I'm gonna start dinner, 'kay!!"
He nodded, watching her disappear into the kitchen.
"I'll finish up here," he murmured to himself.
Several minutes later, she returned.
"Okay," she said, smiling softly.
"I lowered the heat. The soup and pasta are simmering.. let them do their thing while we talk."
She sat down on the couch and patted the space beside her.
"C'mon."
Sunghoon's heart began to race.
He walked over slowly and sat beside her, leaving just enough space to pretend he was calm. His fingers fidgeted in his lap, the silence between them thick and charged.
"Okay…" Sonny said quietly.
"I'm gonna bring up a sensitive topic. But I have to."
His jaw tightened.
"Go ahead," he replied, bracing himself.
She reached out gently, brushing aside his slightly damp side bangs.
"Handsome as ever," she whispered.
Sunghoon's breath caught.
The touch.. so familiar, so soft.. sent a shiver straight through him. The compliment made his chest ache in a way he hadn't felt in months.
"Thanks," he murmured.
"I… don't really feel handsome lately."
"I know," Sonny replied quietly.
She leaned in closer, her voice lowering.
"And that's what I want to talk about."
His heart pounded violently as the distance between them disappeared. He tried to steady his breathing, but his body betrayed him.. responding to her presence instinctively.
"What… what do you want to talk about?" he asked softly, eyes fixed on hers.
"Hoon…"
She reached for his hands.
He didn't hesitate.
Their fingers intertwined naturally, like they remembered exactly how to fit together. Electricity surged through him at the simple contact, at the way she said his name.. so gentle, so full of history.
"Yes…?" he whispered.