"You ready?" Dr. Kwon asked, adjusting his gloves with a small, encouraging smile.
Suho took a deep breath, exhaling heavily. "Yes… because I don't have a choice," he muttered.
Dr. Kwon chuckled. "That's the spirit, I guess."
He handed Suho the parallel bars. "Okay, hold this and try to push yourself up. Slowly. Don't rush."
Suho nodded, determination and fear mixing in his chest. His hands gripped the bar tightly; his arms trembled as he tried to lift his weight. It was harder than he thought, every muscle screamed for help. But after a long struggle, he finally managed to stand upright.
Hauen's face lit up instantly. "See? You did it!"
Suho panted, catching his breath. "Yeah… after trying for an eternity."
"That's okay," she said, patting his back gently. "What matters is, you did it."
A soft smile curved on his lips.
"Well… now try to take a few steps," Dr. Kwon said gently.
Suho looked nervous. "Don't worry, we won't let you fall. Just give it a try," Hauen said. Dr. Kwon encouraged, agreeing with Hauen.
"You sure?" Suho asked, still unsure.
"Of course," Hauen said confidently.
"I weigh like a ton," Suho muttered.
Hauen playfully slapped his arm. "Stop talking nonsense and start walking."
Suho pouted at her.
"Aish… stop sulking, teddy bear," she said suddenly.
Suho froze. His eyes widened; Dr. Kwon chuckled under his breath.
"Teddy bear?" he repeated, staring at her.
Hauen gave an awkward smile, gesturing toward his legs. "Walk, please…?"
He gave her one last embarrassed look before carefully moving forward. His legs trembled as he took his first step, sweat forming on his forehead.
"Very good! One more," Hauen cheered.
Suho clenched his jaw and pushed himself to take another step.
"Whoa, one more!" Hauen said again, smiling proudly.
Suho looked at her sweaty, smiling face, still sulking a little.
"Stop sulking and try one more," she said, grinning.
Dr. Kwon nodded. "Yes, give it another try, Mr. Kim."
Suho sighed and took a deep breath. "Okay…" He pushed himself again.
"Damn, this is so hard," he mumbled under his breath.
"Hard work gives sweet fruits," Hauen replied, her tone exaggeratedly motivational.
Suho looked at both of them, half-tired, half-amused.
Dr. Kwon chuckled, "Wives are wives, Mr. Kim. Better surrender and accept your fate."
Suho shook his head with a faint laugh, then took another shaky step… and another. For every step, Hauen cheered him on like his biggest supporter. Somehow, he managed to take ten full steps before giving up, his arms straining from holding most of his weight.
"Good," Dr. Kwon said approvingly. "That's enough for today. Let's not strain your muscles too much."
Suho finally let out a deep breath of relief, the sweat on his forehead glistening.
"That's really good progress, Mr. Kim," Dr. Kwon continued. "From here, your recovery mostly depends on you, on how much you practice and how patient you are. You've already passed the toughest stage, which is standing on your own legs. The rest is just consistency."
Hauen smiled proudly. "Which means the more he practices walking, the quicker he'll recover, right?"
"Yes," Dr. Kwon said with a nod. "But don't rush it yet. Overdoing it will strain his muscles. Practice walking here in the center for about a week, and then you can continue at home. By then, your legs will be stronger and more stable to take your full body weight."
He paused, then added, "Also, keep his diet in check. More protein, less fat and carbs. He needs to lose some weight; it'll help with faster recovery."
Hauen nodded, listening carefully, then turned to look at Suho with a soft, teasing smile.
"Also, he might feel sore tonight. Use a hot water soak or a mild pain spray if needed." Dr. Kwon added.
Hauen nodded attentively. "Got it, doctor."
"My muscles are already sore," Suho muttered under his breath.
Dr. Kwon smiled. "That's completely normal, Mr. Kim. It's just like how you feel after your first day at the gym. Your muscles are waking up again."
Suho nodded, sighing.
"Well then, I'll see you both tomorrow. Take care," Dr. Kwon said kindly.
"Thank you, doctor," Hauen replied with a polite bow before pushing Suho's wheelchair toward the hospital exit.
As they walked down the corridor, she smiled and said, "Well done, teddy bear. You did great today."
Suho tilted his head up to look at her. "You really had to call me that in front of the doctor?"
Hauen bit back a grin. "I'm sorry, it just slipped out. I got excited seeing you walk."
He pouted. "My cold image is completely ruined now."
Hauen burst into laughter. "Oh, please, Dr. Kwon already knows you're a teddy bear. I just said it out loud."
Suho gave her a tired, deadpan look, which only made her laugh harder as she pushed him toward the parking lot.
At the parking lot, Mr. Lee was already waiting with the car. He quickly came forward and gently lifted Suho from the wheelchair and helped him into the seat.
Suho looked at Mr. Lee for a moment, expression unreadable.
Hauen noticed and asked. "Why are you staring at him like that?"
Suho sighed dramatically. "You know, I never imagined I'd be picked up like this, in a man's arms, like some baby girl."
Mr. Lee tried hard to keep a straight face, his lips twitching, but Hauen lost it completely, laughing out loud.
"See?" she teased between laughs. "Now you're getting the princess treatment from Mr. Lee himself!"
Suho groaned. "When life gives you unexpected twists, you just have to survive the awkwardness, I guess," he muttered, settling back in his seat.
Hauen grinned, still chuckling as she got in beside him. Mr. Lee started the car, keeping his focus on the road.
"Where did you even find him?" Suho asked suddenly.
"Why?" she asked, suspiciously amused.
"Just asking. He's a good bodyguard."
Mr. Lee smiled in the rearview mirror. "Thank you, sir."
Suho nodded approvingly. "Once I recover, you can stay on as my personal bodyguard."
Mr. Lee smiled politely, and before the atmosphere could get too serious, Hauen smirked. "He is your personal bodyguard already… babygirl."
Suho gave her a deadpan, annoyed look while she burst into laughter again.
"You're really enjoying my misery, aren't you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
Without hesitation, she nodded, grinning from ear to ear.
He glared at her and suddenly trapped her in his strong arms, locking her neck tightly.Hauen gasped and struggled under his hold. "Yaa... Suho.."Suho smirked, "My legs are weak, not my arms."
She slapped his arm, "Leave me, Pabo! Want to kill me?"He laughed and pulled her closer. "Next time, before teasing me, remember my arms."Then he released her.
She coughed, rubbing her neck. "Oh my god… that was so close to death," she said dramatically.
He laughed. "Stop being dramatic, I was holding you gently."
"Gently?" she gave him a scandalized look. "You choked me!"
He laughed again. "That was for teasing me," he said, sounding way too proud.
Mr. Lee chuckled. Hauen looked at him,
"Mr. Lee! You're my bodyguard, you should be saving me when I'm in danger! but you are laughing" she said dramatically.
"Your bodyguard? He's mine now. I hired him. Right, Mr. Lee?" Suho said.
Mr. Lee looked confused, unsure whose side to take.
"I hired him! He's my employee," Hauen barked.
"Not anymore, I hired him just now," Suho snapped back.
She squinted her eyes at him. He laughed and pulled her closer, giving her a side hug.
"Don't touch me!" she protested, trying to wiggle away.
"Too late, you're trapped again," he laughed, keeping her locked in his arms.
They kept bickering the whole drive, while poor Mr. Lee somehow managed to get them safely to the penthouse, which was impressive, considering it was hard to focus on the road with two crackheads arguing in the backseat.