Come back to me [SOPE]

Chapter 15

Suga spent his day off organizing Jhope's apartment. Though usually pristine, it had slipped a bit without regular maintenance. With Jhope consumed by work lately, Suga took it upon himself to tidy up completely, starting with every forgotten corner.

He noticed just how hard Jhope had been working. Since the huge success of the Annet case, Jhope's name had become well-known, making him sought-after in the industry. Balancing two different cases in parallel meant endless hours at work, leaving Suga determined to support him wherever possible. As Suga cleared out a high cupboard, he came across an old cardboard box he hadn't seen in years. Curious, he pulled it down, blowing dust off the top. Inside lay a collection of old memories and souvenirs, some carefully wrapped in old tissue paper. Right on top of the pile, Suga found their wedding picture, worn but intact. It brought an immediate smile to his face.

In the picture, they were just kids—Jhope was only 21, and Suga was 22. They had gotten married as soon as they could, without much planning, but with boundless love. Jhope had worn his best pink button-down shirt, while Suga had gone for a blue formal shirt. They hadn't been able to afford new clothes, but they'd made sure their old ones were freshly washed and ironed. Their "reception" had been held in a small, roadside café, where they celebrated with burgers and sodas. Looking back, it was a moment of pure happiness, humble but unforgettable.

Suga chuckled at the memory, catching Evvie's attention. The cat trotted over, sitting beside him and peering at the picture. Suga grinned, gently tapping Jhope's face in the photo. "Look, Evvie. That's Dada," he said, amused. "He looked so cool back then, didn't he?"

Evvie narrowed his eyes, giving a look that almost said, Did you just realize that? He's always been cool.

Suga chuckled, interpreting the look as Evvie's silent agreement. "Yeah, you're right, buddy. He has always been pretty amazing."

As Suga continued organizing, he found a small stack of photos from their dating days. Each image was a window into their past: Jhope's smile radiated like sunshine, while Suga's face was flushed red as cherries. They had been so deeply, recklessly in love back then. Their world was small—a modest room, a few clothes, and an endless supply of love and laughter. Despite juggling full-time law school and long hours at their part time jobs, they were blissfully content just sharing a meal at the end of each day.

Their dinners were simple—rice with stew or an occasional ramen—but to them, they were feasts. And despite their lives being a whirlwind of hard work, stress, and scant finances, they'd found time to make memories together, sharing their love without hesitation. Suga felt his face grow warm and ears got hot as he recalled how they couldn't keep their hands off each other back then, even though they were practically skin and bones. It can be said that they were mating like bunnies. He grinned, whispering to himself, "Oh no...those were definitely our golden days."

Evvie, their little cat, watched him curiously. Suga chuckled and looked down. "Come on, let's get this place cleaned up fast so we can surprise Dada with a proper meal. He's lost his appetite lately," he murmured.

By evening, the apartment sparkled, as did Evvie, who was now freshly bathed and sporting a new bow-tie collar with a tiny bell. Enthralled by the bell, Evvie batted at it playfully, prancing around Suga as he prepared a spread for dinner: rice, rich stew, braised pork belly, sautéed beef, kimchi, and seasoned vegetables. Cooking always came naturally to Suga, but tonight he outdid himself, infusing each dish with extra care and love. Once everything was ready, he decided to grab a quick shower before Jhope got home.

As he washed up, Suga caught his reflection in the bathroom mirror. The bruises from five weeks ago had completely faded, and his body looked stronger, more toned, thanks to his recent workouts. He hadn't lost much weight, but he noticed a new firmness in his arms and legs—a confidence boost that made him feel lighter.