Come back to me [SOPE]

Chapter 5

J-Hope stood fidgeting outside Suga's office, pacing slightly in the hallway. The courthouse felt suffocating, but his focus was entirely on the small cabin just a few feet away. It had been a week since Suga had stormed out of his house, telling J-Hope not to meet him again. At first, the words had stung, leaving J-Hope feeling down for a few days. But this was J-Hope—someone who had left Jeju Island with a mission, someone ready to flip mountains to win Suga back. A little setback wasn't going to stop him.

Taking a long, deep breath, J-Hope steeled himself and opened the door. His heart thumped in his chest as he stepped into the cabin. There, standing by a neatly arranged bookshelf, was Suga, his back to the door, completely absorbed in the book he was reading. For a moment, J-Hope froze, unsure of what to do. Should he call out? Or maybe cough to get Suga's attention? But what if Suga started scolding him? Or worse, threw him out?

As he debated his next move, his eyes wandered—landing on Suga's figure, specifically his perfectly round backside, accentuated by his slim-fit trousers. In an instant, memories of their intimate moments flooded J-Hope's mind. Those were mine once, he thought. Even when he was bony, those soft, fluffy "cheesecakes" were my stress ball. His hands tingled with the urge to claim what was once his, but he shook his head, reminding himself, Not today, J-Hope. Not today. But one day, they'll be mine again.

He couldn't stand there forever, so he cleared his throat softly. Suga turned around, a hint of surprise in his expression quickly replaced by mild annoyance. "Hello, J-Hope," he greeted coolly. "Didn't expect to see you here. How can I help you?"

Though Suga's tone was professional and dry, J-Hope could sense a flicker of something softer beneath the surface. At least he hadn't been kicked out. With his usual sunshine smile, J-Hope took a step forward. "Hyung... I need a little consultation on my current case. I believe you can help me."

Suga raised an eyebrow, his expression unimpressed. "As if you don't have enough connections out there. I'm sure you've got a few people who can help. Let's not waste each other's time."

J-Hope wasn't deterred. He leaned in slightly, eyes wide with exaggerated innocence. "Hyung, I don't have confidence in their ethical values. My client is very sensitive about confidentiality. I can't trust just anyone."

Suga stared at him, his defenses faltering slightly. He knew the industry well enough to understand that J-Hope had a point. In a world where information could make or break a case, trust was a precious commodity. He sighed, softening a little. "Alright, tell me. What's the issue?"

Relieved, J-Hope launched into an explanation of his case, detailing how the opposition was fabricating evidence against his client. He explained the complexities and the potential strategies, but there were still a few areas he needed guidance on—specifically how to counter the opponent's next move, which was currently not in their favor.

Suga listened carefully, nodding in understanding. Although this wasn't his area of expertise—corporate law wasn't exactly his forte—he couldn't deny the genuine need for help in the situation. "I'll have to do some research before I can give you a proper answer," he finally said, glancing at J-Hope. "But I'll get back to you soon."

J-Hope smiled, grateful. "Thank you, hyung. I knew I could count on you."

Suga turned back to his bookshelf, hiding the small, reluctant smile that had crept onto his face. Even if he didn't want to admit it, J-Hope had a way of getting under his skin, making him care even when he didn't want to.

Later in the Night:

J-Hope was bustling around in his cozy kitchen, singing softly as he stirred a pot of soup on the stove. Evvie, his fluffy companion, sat perched on the corner of the counter, watching the bubbling concoction with wide, curious eyes. Though still recovering from his recent illness, Evvie seemed content just to be there, soaking in the warm atmosphere and J-Hope's infectious energy.