The next morning was gentle, sunlight dripping through the garden trees, dew clinging to the petals like shy secrets. The air was cool, fragrant with earth and fresh leaves.
Suho stood barefoot on the uneven rocks in the garden, his arms out for balance, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. Just a few feet away, Hauen sat on the grass, cheering like an overexcited coach.
"1677… 1678… 167—"
Suho stopped abruptly, hands on his knees, panting hard.
"What happened?" Hauen called, her voice light but amused.
"I'm done," he said, straightening up with exaggerated exhaustion. "I can't do this anymore."
Hauen crossed her arms, mock disbelief on her face. "Come on, Teddy, just two more steps! You can't leave the number hanging like that, it's bad luck!"
He glared at her, still trying to catch his breath. "I can't," he said firmly, plopping down on the rocks, sulking like a tired kid.
Hauen's lips curved into a fond smile. She got up, walked over to him, and knelt beside him, towel in hand. "Drama king," she muttered, before rubbing the towel over his sweaty face and hair.
"Yah, be gentle!" he protested, squirming. "You'll damage my handsome face!"
She laughed, purposely rubbing harder just to annoy him more. "Who exactly are you trying to charm with this handsome face, huh?"
He looked up at her, eyes glinting mischievously. "Obviously, the girls out there," he said with a teasing grin.
She squinted her eyes. "Oh, really? By any chance, did you forget that you are married and I'm your actual wife now?"
He smirked. "I know that. But my wife already fell for my charm, so maybe it's time to try on others."
He grinned wider. "And what if I do?"
Hauen's smile turned sly. "Don't challenge me, Teddy Bear. You're stuck with me for this life. If you dare to hit on anyone else, I'll break your legs again and make sure you stay in that wheelchair permanently."
His eyes widened in disbelief. "What the—! How could you? You're so cruel, Hauen… I thought you were my angel!" he said, gasping dramatically.
She chuckled. "I am an angel, only when you behave." Then, in a mock-threatening tone, "So don't even think about ditching me."
Her words carried a hint of possessiveness, and it made him smile, warm, amused, a little touched. He stared at her, smiling softly.
"What?" she asked, catching his expression. "What's with that smile now?"
He grinned wider. "You look adorable when you're possessive."
She turned her face a little, hiding her own blush. "I can be scary too. Now get up and finish your target steps," she ordered.
He sighed dramatically. "You already are, right now…" he muttered under his breath. "Let me live a little, lady. You're sucking breath out of me this early in the morning."
Her lips twitched into a grin. She leaned closer, her face just inches from his. He could feel her closeness, his pulse quickening at the sudden closeness.
"I like sucking your breath," she whispered, her tone teasing and low, "just… in other ways." Her eyes flicked down to his lips
His heart skipped, breath catching in his throat. His ears turned a deep shade of pink almost instantly.
Fuck... Why does she always succeed in making me flustered? He thought, cursing himself silently.
She smiled, delighted by his flustered expression. "What happened, Teddy? You're turning into a mess again," she teased.
He quickly looked away, avoiding her eyes, trying to hide his burning cheeks.
She laughed softly, then reached out and turned his face back toward her. "Look at me, Teddy."
"No," he said.
She laughed again, softly, "Why are you being shy now? You're the one who asked to start the intimacy, and look at you, turning all red. I didn't even do anything yet."
"You tease me every chance you get," he mumbled, still refusing to meet her eyes.
"Oh, God…" she said, smiling. "I'm just talking, and you're already turning tomato. What do you want me to do then? Just kiss you all the time in the name of intimacy?"
Her teasing tone made him bite his lip, trying to suppress the grin and the wild fluttering in his stomach.
"Look at me at least, Teddy," she said softly, cupping his face and gently turning it toward her.
His eyes met hers for a split second before darting away again.
She smiled, voice lowering with tenderness. "Don't be too shy with me, Suho."
Her thumb brushed along his cheek. "Express yourself confidently. I know you love me… and I know you have your own desires."
He swallowed, eyes flickering between her and the ground, still hesitant.
"Talk to me," she continued gently. "As my husband, as my lover, not just a friend. Let me know what you want, what you feel. Don't keep everything locked inside your heart."
He took a breath, finally meeting her eyes for a moment. "I… it takes time for me to open up completely," he admitted quietly.
She smiled, her expression soft and understanding. "That's okay," she said. "But just don't shut down completely out of shyness. Open up, little by little."
He nodded, soft, shy, and completely adorable.
"Ohhh… God, save me from this adorable man," she sighed dramatically, falling onto his shoulder.
He chuckled, lightly smacking her arm. "You flirt too much, knowing I get flustered."
"That's the most fun part, Teddy Bear," she teased again.
"You're teasing me again," he said, narrowing his eyes.
"I can't help it. Get used to it," she replied, smirking.
He sighed, pressing his lips together, a small, unintentional pout forming.
Hauen's smile softened. She reached out, tracing her thumb over his lower lip gently, and his breath instantly hitched. His heart began to race all over again.
Her gaze lingered on him, watching the way his eyes darted nervously, unable to meet hers for long. Slowly, she leaned closer.
His eyes fluttered shut just as her lips brushed his, soft, slow, and gentle. A small gasp escaped him, startled by the warmth of her lips spreading through him, but then his body moved instinctively, lips syncing with hers in a rhythm that was quiet yet all-consuming.
Their hearts beat wildly together, almost in sync. His hands found her waist, pulling her onto his lap as they deepened the kiss. The world around them disappeared, forgetting everything around them, lost in their own quiet, intimate world, feeling nothing but each other.
When she finally pulled away, her lips soft and swollen, his eyes slowly opened to meet hers.
She smiled and leaned her forehead against his. "I love you," she murmured.
He brushed a gentle kiss over her parted lips. "I love you too," he murmured back.
They both giggled quietly, still holding each other, lost in the kind of peace only love could give,
until Officer Park unintentionally interrupted them.
"Uh… sorry to interrupt…"
They froze.