Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Wooseok's gaze followed Hyeyoon as she moved about the room, gathering her belongings with practiced efficiency. She was preparing for an out-of-town shoot, and despite himself, he couldn't shake the disappointment gnawing at him. Tomorrow was his birthday, and though he tried to hide it, the thought of spending the day without her left him feeling a bit empty. He had hoped for a quiet, late-night dinner together—just them, tucked away from the world—but with her tight schedule, it felt less and less likely.
Sensing his gaze, Hyeyoon turned to him with a soft smile. "Please don't look at me like that, Oppa," she murmured, crossing the room to sit beside him on the edge of the bed, her lips forming a gentle pout. She took his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I want to celebrate your birthday too, more than anything. But I really can't change the schedule this time, and... you're busy too, aren't you?" She let out a small sigh, her fingers tracing small circles over his knuckles.
He opened his mouth to protest, but she quickly cut him off, a playful grin lighting up her face. "How about this: I'll arrange my schedule so we can spend time together this weekend. We'll celebrate properly, and I'll make it extra special," Her thumb brushed lightly over his hand, a warm gesture that melted some of his disappointment.
He sighed, feeling both guilty for sulking and deeply touched by her words. "Alright," he whispered, pulling her into his arms. She came willingly, nestling into him as he pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head, breathing in her familiar scent, a mix of her citrusy perfume and a hint of her shampoo.
She tilted her face up toward him, her voice soft. "I'm sorry, Oppa. I hate being the one who has to miss out on your day."
But Wooseok shook his head gently, his arms tightening around her. "No, Oppa is sorry, Hyeyoon-ah," he murmured, his voice laced with regret. "I shouldn't be acting this way. You work so hard, and here I am, making you feel guilty about it."
Hyeyoon shook her head, her hand slipping up to gently brush through his hair. "It's okay, Oppa. I get it," she whispered, her voice tender and comforting. "I feel bad too. But I'll make it up to you, I promise. This weekend will be all ours."
Wooseok looked down, meeting her gaze, a soft smile breaking through his earlier disappointment. "This weekend, then. Just you and me, no work, no distractions."
"Deal," she said, her smile tinged with a hint of sadness, as if she felt his longing as deeply as he did. She gently pulled away as her phone buzzed somewhere on the dresser. "That's my cue," she murmured, her voice a little more subdued as she rose to answer.
Wooseok watched her move, feeling a bittersweet ache in his chest. As she answered her call, her eyes flicked back to him, and in that silent exchange, he felt her promise all over again, easing his heart.
**
It was almost 1 AM when Hyeyoon finally arrived at Wooseok's apartment, her heart beating a little faster as she unlocked the door with the spare key he'd given her. Earlier, Isanim had mentioned that Wooseok had chosen a quiet night in, hoping to get some much-needed rest. He'd even turned down an invitation from colleagues who shared the same birthday, choosing solitude over celebration. The thought tugged at her heart, stirring a gentle ache of sadness at the idea of him spending his special day alone.
Once her scenes wrapped, she'd asked her manager to pick up a small cake from their favorite bakery. It wasn't extravagant—just a simple chocolate cake with a single candle, something intimate and warm, just for him. She glanced down at the box in her hands, hoping it might bring a small smile to his face when he saw it.
Careful not to make any noise, she slipped into the entryway, setting her shoes and jacket quietly on the floor and placing her mask and phone on the coffee table. The apartment was silent, and the stillness hinted that he might already be asleep. She moved carefully, almost tiptoeing, hoping not to disturb him like she had the last time she'd surprised him late at night.
With the cake box cradled gently in her hands, she walked toward the soft glow coming from his bedroom. The sight of his familiar belongings—the books on the coffee table, the blanket draped over the sofa—filled her with a sense of comfort, like stepping into a world that was just theirs. She couldn't help but smile as she moved slowly down the hallway, her heart swelling with affection and anticipation.
In the bedroom, Wooseok lay on his side, his steady breathing showing he was in a deep sleep. She paused at the doorway, her gaze softening as she took in the sight of him. His face, usually so lively and expressive, looked peaceful and relaxed. She felt a pang of tenderness as she watched him, wondering how she'd gotten so lucky to have someone like him in her life.
With gentle steps, she crossed the room and placed the cake box on the nightstand. She considered lighting the candle but didn't want to risk waking him. Instead, she reached down and brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead, her fingers barely grazing his skin. He stirred slightly at her touch, his brow knitting before his eyes fluttered open.
"Hyeyoon-ah?" Wooseok murmured, his voice hoarse from sleep. "What...?"
Hyeyoon grinned, lifting the cake from the nightstand and lighting the candle. She watched as his sleepy confusion melted into a smile, his eyes glimmering with warmth and happiness as he took in the sight of her and the single flickering candle. Her heart fluttered as she held the cake up to him, her voice filled with genuine affection and gratitude.
"Happy Birthday, Oppa!" Hyeyoon beamed, her smile widening as she watched his face light up with surprise. "Thank you for being born, thank you for not giving up, thank you for coming into my life, thank you for your hard work, and lastly, thank you for loving me just as I am." Her voice softened, the words floating between them in the quiet, intimate space. "I am so proud of you, Oppa. Let's make every day happier together."
Wooseok sat up, his heart swelling at her words. He reached for her hand, gently tugging her closer until she was sitting beside him on the bed's edge. "Hyeyoon-ah," he murmured, a slight confusion in his sleepy gaze, "I thought you'd be filming until morning and then moving to the next location?" His eyes held both concern and disbelief as he took in her unexpected presence.
She smiled, brushing a thumb over his hand reassuringly. "We wrapped up earlier than expected, and I still have a few hours before I need to head back." She paused, meeting his gaze with a soft, unwavering look. "I just couldn't stand the thought of you spending the night alone on your birthday."
Wooseok's expression softened, his eyes glistening with emotion as he studied her face. "Hyeyoon-ah..." he murmured, his voice thick with gratitude and something deeper, something that words could hardly capture. He let his gaze linger on her bright, smiling face, overwhelmed by the warmth she brought with her, the effort she'd made just to be there with him.
Hyeyoon laughed lightly, nudging him in her usual playful way to break the intensity of the moment. "Come on, Oppa," she said, holding up the cake between them. "Make a wish." Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she watched him, the candlelight dancing across her face, casting a gentle glow that made her look even more radiant.
Wooseok smiled, closing his eyes as he took a deep breath. After a thoughtful pause, he leaned forward and blew out the candle, the room momentarily plunged into darkness before the faint city lights through the window cast soft shadows over them again. When he opened his eyes, he found Hyeyoon looking at him intently, her curiosity written all over her face.
"What's your wish?" she asked, her tone soft yet filled with excitement.
Wooseok smiled, unable to hold back the tenderness in his gaze as he pulled her gently into his arms. "You are my wish," he whispered, leaning in to press a tender kiss to her forehead. His words were barely audible, but they carried a weight of meaning that filled the room, wrapping around them like a warm embrace.
