Bora hummed quietly as she chopped scallions, the early light brushing the kitchen tiles in pale gold.
"Bora…" Suho's voice drifted in, warm and unhurried.
She turned halfway, then quickly turned all the way around, eyes going wide as she saw his state. His hair was a storm, shirtless, neck a little… marked, eyes still carrying traces of a long night. She immediately looked away.
"Yes, sir," she said quickly, staring at the floor like the tiles suddenly became fascinating.
"I'll handle the kitchen today," Suho said, yawning, pushing a hand through his unruly hair. "You can take leave. Go out, relax, visit your family if you want."
"Thank you, sir!" She bowed deeply and practically ran out of the kitchen, straight out of the house, without daring to look back.
Suho blinked, confused. "Why is she running…?" Then slowly looked down at himself. His lips parted.
"Yaa... Kim Suho… manners," he muttered, rubbing his face. "Should've dressed properly before coming out. Have some dignity, man..."
Shaking his head, self-scolding, he started gathering ingredients with full focus, ready to make something warm, healthy, and full of love. "For my Hauenie," he whispered to himself, smiling as he began to cook.
As he stirred the kimchi stew, fully focused, he suddenly felt a pair of arms slide around his waist. Slow. Warm. Sneaky.
He looked down, smiling instantly, and turned his head over his shoulder.
"You should be resting, Jagi," he whispered.
She pressed a lazy kiss on his bare back, her voice soft and sleepy. "I wasn't sleepy anymore. And I missed my teddy bear."
His smile deepened. He reached down, kissed her hand, and squeezed it gently.
"At least sit, jagiya. You are sore and tired."
"Ani… let me hold you a bit," she murmured, refusing to let go.
He chuckled under his breath and continued cooking, her arms snug around him like he was her personal comfort pillow. She stayed like that, face resting against him, quietly breathing him in.
When the stew began bubbling, he turned, slid his hands to her waist, and effortlessly lifted her onto the counter.
She was wearing his shirt, drowning adorably in it, hem hanging beautifully over her mid-thighs. Her hair was a chaotic cloud, eyes still heavy with leftover sleep. A sight that made something warm twist inside him.
She watched him with sleepy eyes. He combed her hair back with gentle fingers, tucking it behind her ears before loosely tying it. His palms cupped her cheeks, warm, thumbs stroking the corners of her eyes, studying her face like she was the softest dream.
"Still drowsy," he whispered. "Why did you come here, hmm?"
Her eyes half-closed, lips curving slightly, the early-morning glow turning her into something heartbreakingly soft.
"Drowsy, but not sleepy," she murmured.
He smiled and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. She looped her arms around his neck and snuggled in, small and soft, like she had folded herself into him. It made him smile even wider. She was usually the bold one, the fierce one, always teasing him, always taking care of him… but now she was the one seeking comfort, melting into his arms.
He pulled her closer, one arm around her back, wrapping her legs around his waist, lifting her from the counter with ease. She clung to him like a koala, warm and sleepy.
But she suddenly pulled back a little, looking at him with those careful eyes.
"You're lifting me too much these days… It's not good to stress your legs."
He chuckled. "You're not that heavy, though. Also, I'm strong and perfectly fine now."
"But the doctor didn't say that yet," she argued. "And you've been skipping your exercise routine too…"
There it was. Monitor mode activated.
He pouted, shoulders dropping. "I'm just loving you today. Let me do it properly. Don't turn into my nurse already…"
"You don't have to lift me to love me," she said, unblinking. "You loved me enough last night. That alone strained you. I don't want to take risks."
Her voice was soft but stubborn, completely her.
He sighed, defeated and fond. Gently placed her back on the counter. Continued cooking with a sulky curve to his mouth.
She hid a smile. Then hooked her legs around his waist and yanked him closer.
He glared at her tiny rebellion. She ignored it.
"Stop pouting. Love me however you want," she said softly. "Just don't hurt yourself. You're still recovering."
He stared at her for a beat, "Once the doctor tells me I'm fully recovered, I'll show you how strong I really am."
She laughed. "Alright, Teddy." She pinched his cheeks, making him break into a smile.
The stew was ready, and he fed her patiently, spoon by spoon. He wiped the corners of her lips whenever a little sauce clung there, while his other hand rested warmly on her bare thigh, brushing gently every now and then.
This version of him was more open, less shy, deeply affectionate. There was still a hint of the Suho he used to be with Yerin, especially the gentle way he cared for someone he loved. But now he felt… upgraded. Softer, warmer, kinder. As if life had finally taught him how to love without hiding, how to show his heart without fear.
By evening, they were curled up on the floor bed near the couch in the living room. Hauen was nestled between his legs, her head resting on his chest, his arms wrapped around her waist, his chin resting on her head as they watched a TV show. Her fingers absentmindedly played with the fine hair on his forearm, but he didn't mind, just kept holding her.
"Suho…" she murmured.
"Hmmm?" he responded without looking away.
"Thank you for staying with me today."
He glanced down. Her eyes blinked up at him, a tiny smile on her lips.
"What? I just felt like saying it," she sighed. "I'm going to miss you again tomorrow… when you go back to the office."
He pulled her even closer and kissed her hair. "Then call me if you miss me."
She pouted, then tilted her head up again. "Can I just come to your office instead?"
He stared at her, surprised, thinking.
"Give me any job," she said sincerely. "I'll work for you. I have experience working with Dad before. I'm good at management things, market research, and report analysis. At least I'll be doing something productive, instead of sitting here bored all day… and also I can see my teddy whenever I want." She squeezed his cheek, making him smile.
A smile cracked through his lips.
"Right, right…," he teased. "Just say you want to tease me and boss me around at the office, too. And spy on me to check if I'm doing my stretches and taking breaks."
She squinted at him, dramatically offended. "You think I bully you? How unfair." She raised her hands theatrically toward the ceiling. "Dear universe, are you listening? He called me a bully. He forgot all my love and care!"
He laughed... "Alright, alright. Join my team. Just stop the drama," he said, catching her hands before she could continue.
She instantly dropped the act, excitement lighting up her face. "Really?"
He hummed, nodding.
"Thank you, Teddy!" She leaned up and planted a loud kiss on his cheek, leaving a faint lip-print. He touched the spot and chuckled.
"By the way," she said, straightening up, "how much salary are you planning to give me?"
He looked at her with obvious mischief sparkling in his eyes. "You want salary? I thought you were going to work for free."
To be continued....