If there’s even the slightest hint or sign of cheating, then I’ll just lock him up and not let him step foot outside the house. But… what if Seung-hyeon is agonizing over something he can’t bring himself to tell Seon-woo? Maybe he’s hiding something painful because he’s just that kind and soft-hearted… Should I try to find out myself if he won’t talk?
Gwak Seon-woo’s thoughts began spiraling into increasingly absurd directions. If the system were still active, it might’ve stepped in with something like “A Gwanggong does not jump to conclusions,” and pulled the brakes for him.
At that moment, Seung-hyeon, with a serious look on his face and hands clasped together, began to speak.
“Yes. It’s nothing major, but… I wanted to have a serious conversation about what we’re going to do for the upcoming Christmas.”
Seon-woo, who’d been tormenting himself with imaginary scenarios of Seung-hyeon being blackmailed or threatened by someone, felt suddenly embarrassed. He stopped his train of thought and cleared his throat softly. Still wearing that serious expression, Seung-hyeon asked,
“What do you think?”
Was this supposed to be a joke?
Seon-woo scrutinized his face carefully but couldn’t see any signs of playfulness. He really seemed to mean it. It was such a ridiculous topic that all his worries felt laughable in hindsight. Either Seung-hyeon didn’t notice his reaction, or he was pretending not to, because he kept speaking with that same solemn expression.
“I’ve prepared two options.”
“Let’s hear it.”
As absurd as it was, he couldn’t just ignore it. Once the unofficial greenlight was given, Seung-hyeon started to explain like he was giving a business briefing.
“The first option is going to the amusement park. The one we visited last time.”
Seon-woo must’ve flinched without realizing it, because Seung-hyeon turned and flashed him a sly smile.
“It’s a place full of memories for us.”
Seon-woo averted his gaze. Seung-hyeon muttered with a voice that was obviously putting on the pitiful act.
“It’s also the place where you ignored me and gave all your attention to Assistant Manager Seo. Where you refused the ice cream I gave you but happily took the churros from Seo. And then you ditched me without a word, leaving me all alone to walk home in tears…”
“You cried that day?”
Seon-woo, who had been silently listening because he didn’t know how to respond, finally cut in. His expression was unusually serious. If Seung-hyeon had actually cried, he thought he might feel genuinely sorry. In the past, he would’ve been sure that someone like Seung-hyeon would never cry over something like that, but not anymore. In Seon-woo’s mind, Seung-hyeon had already solidified into someone sweet and emotionally delicate.
Surprised by the unexpected reaction to his half-joking words, Seung-hyeon blinked his eyes wide for a moment—then smiled.
“The second option is going to the movies. There’s nothing really coming out this Christmas that seems like your taste, but I figured the act of going together is what really matters.”
“…because it’s the thought that counts.”
Whether it was meant to gloss over everything with a smile or not, Seung-hyeon immediately jumped to the next plan. Normally, Seon-woo would’ve just let it slide—but not this time.
“I asked if you cried that day.”
He pressed again, relentless. But Seung-hyeon was just as stubborn in his own right.
“The movie theater is also a place full of memories for us, Director.”
“That was the day our Team Leader Gwak Seung-hyeon turned on a GPS tracker and tailed us to the cinema.”
So he wasn’t going to answer. Seon-woo cut him off mid-sentence and finished the thought himself—half to tease him, half to pressure him into responding. But even now, Seung-hyeon’s reaction was unexpected.
“I’m happy you remember.”
That bashful look on his face left Seon-woo speechless. No matter how he acted, he was weak to that expression.
“…Why? Did you cry that day too?”
He finally asked, his voice softening. Even as he spoke, he couldn’t let go of the fixation on whether or not Seung-hyeon had cried. Seeing this, Seung-hyeon let out a slightly troubled laugh.
“Should I not have said I cried?”
The hesitation in his response—was it because he actually had cried? Or just because the topic dragged on too long and started to get awkward? Seon-woo figured it was probably the latter. He’d never seen Seung-hyeon cry before. Sure, he’d seen him look like he might cry out of sheer joy—but actual tears? Never.
Gwak Seung-hyeon crying, huh. Maybe once wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Though if it ever happened, it wouldn’t be for the kinds of reasons he just described. And honestly, it shouldn’t be.
In the end, Seung-hyeon let the question pass without answering.
“Anyway, please think about what you’d like to do for Christmas and let me know. Depending on what you choose, the plans will change.”
“…That’s it?”
Seon-woo studied him closely as he asked. That was really all he came here to say? No hidden agenda? No other message? Despite Seon-woo’s baffled reaction, Seung-hyeon just grinned brightly and nodded.
“Yep. I was worried you’d tell me not to come if I told you from the start.”
So he pretended to have something serious to discuss? That worry was completely unfounded. Seon-woo let out a breathy laugh, sounding both amused and exasperated.
“As if I’d say that.”
It seemed like Seung-hyeon still viewed Seon-woo through the lens of his system-controlled days—rigid, distant, and emotionally detached. Seon-woo gave a small shrug. If that was how Seung-hyeon saw him, all he had to do was take the time to prove otherwise.
“Does it have to be one of those two?”
It was Christmas, after all. A once-a-year occasion. Wouldn’t it be nice to plan a slightly more special date? But Seung-hyeon responded with a sparkle in his eyes.
“I hope it is.”
That was a far more powerful answer than a simple ‘It has to be.’ It wasn’t pushy—it was just Seung-hyeon stating what he genuinely wished for, and that made it all the more persuasive. The kind of answer that made you want to grant the wish just because he asked.
After a brief pause, Seon-woo lightly tapped his fingers against his lips before opening his mouth to speak.
“If we go to the amusement park on Christmas Day, it’ll be packed to the brim, so… let’s go with the movie theater instead.”
It wasn’t like the theater would be empty either, but at least it had a capacity limit. That would make it better than the amusement park. Seon-woo asked casually,
“No chance of a private screening?”
“No. We’re not the only ones who want to see a movie on Christmas. Booking out an entire theater just for us would feel kind of rude.”
Seung-hyeon replied with a gentle smile. Honestly, the guy was overflowing with consideration. Seon-woo felt a subtle pride in having such a thoughtful boyfriend, though he didn’t let it show.
He soon came to a decision and gave a firm nod.
“Then let’s choose the theater closest to my place. I’ll go ahead and reserve a restaurant nearby, too.”
A nice meal on top of the movie would make the date much more worthwhile. Feeling fairly satisfied with his own plan, Seon-woo lifted his head to glance at Seung-hyeon—who was wearing an expression that was hard to describe. Still resting his chin on his fingers, Seon-woo asked,
“Why’re you looking at me like that?”
Seung-hyeon responded slowly,
“It’s nothing. Just… you gave all that like an official directive, and then naturally referred to it as ‘my place.’”
“That bother you?”
“I like it.”
With his eyes lowered, Seung-hyeon gave a small smile. Even past thirty, he could still get shy over things like this. It was kind of amazing—and honestly, if it made him happy, that was all that really mattered. Still, just to be safe, Seon-woo decided to double-check one last time.
“You’re absolutely sure there’s nothing else you’re hiding from me? You’re not keeping anything important to yourself?”
And just in case, he clarified what he meant.
“I’m talking about anything that concerns your personal safety… or anything you’d be ashamed to tell me about.”
“There’s no way I’d do something like that.”
Seung-hyeon answered carefully. His voice was steady, with no trace of hesitation or doubt.
“If I want you to be able to trust me, Director, then I can’t do things like that…”
As long as it wasn’t something that fell into those categories, it didn’t really matter. Even if Seung-hyeon was hiding something, Seon-woo figured he’d eventually talk about it when the time came. Accepting that, he nodded in understanding and added one last thing.
“I don’t think you’d do that kind of thing, Gwak Team Leader. But if anything like that ever comes up, you tell me right away.”
“Yes. But, Director…”
“What is it?”
“Even if it’s the workplace, when it’s just the two of us… can’t you call me by my name?”
Up until now, he’d kept a mostly serious tone. But now there was a playful note in his voice. Not quite a full joke—but not entirely serious either. Seon-woo let out a short laugh and responded.
“Gwak Seung-hyeon.”
“Yes.”
Without even a second’s delay, Seung-hyeon’s answer shot out. The way he responded like some hyper-efficient auto-reply machine made Seon-woo chuckle a little, though he quickly composed his face into a stricter expression.
“Go back to work.”
He could see Seung-hyeon’s expression shift into something sulky and disappointed.
“…Yes.”
The reluctant answer made Seon-woo laugh without meaning to. He motioned Seung-hyeon closer, as if to whisper something in his ear—then planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
It was subtle enough that even on CCTV, no one would be able to tell exactly what had happened. Seung-hyeon stared at him, frozen in place, his expression stiff as if torn by inner conflict. Truthfully, Seon-woo was just as tempted—but this was still the office.
“Go. Work.”
He repeated himself. And finally, Seung-hyeon let out a low chuckle, as if accepting defeat.
“I’ll see you at home.”
He muttered meaningfully, and then quietly left the office.
