Chapter Text
The sleek glass walls of the Carat Cosmetics' headquarters shimmered under the afternoon sun, the faint floral notes from the perfume labs drifting through the open-plan office like a teasing whisper. Joshua Hong, aka "Shua" sat at the head of the long conference table in the perfume department wing, trying to look composed while his so-called “buddies” roasted him alive.
“Five years, man. Five whole years of marriage and you still look like you’re on a first date every time you glance at the CEO’s floor,” teased Mingyu, leaning back in his chair with a grin that could sell a thousand lipsticks. “What’s the secret? Do you guys even talk or just exchange polite emails about quarterly reports?”
Next to him, Seungkwan cackled, spinning a sample bottle of their newest rose-oud fragrance between his fingers. “I bet they have separate bedrooms. Shua-hyung comes home, cooks a gourmet meal, lights candles, and Seokmin-hyung just says ‘Thank you, I’ll review the files’ and disappears into his study. Classic arranged marriage vibes!”
Shua forced a laugh, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair, but the sound came out a little too hollow. “Yah, you guys are exaggerating. It’s… fine. We’re both busy. He’s the President and CEO, I’m just—”
“Just the genius who turned our perfume line into the company’s biggest cash cow?” Junhui cut in, eyes sparkling with mischief as he dramatically clutched his chest. “Hyung, you literally create scents that make people fall in love. Yet your own marriage smells like… nothing. Zero chemistry. It’s tragic. Iconic, but tragic.”
The whole team burst into laughter, and Shua felt that familiar sting behind his ribs. He smiled anyway, the same gentle, charming smile he’d perfected over the years—the one that hid how much it actually hurt.
Because they didn’t know.
They didn’t know that Shua had fallen for Seokmin the moment their parents first mentioned the arrangement back in high school. Back when Seokmin was all bright laughter and dazzling stage presence in school plays, and Shua had thought, Wow… I wouldn’t mind spending my life making him smile like that.
Five years of marriage later, and that smile was rarely aimed at him anymore.
Seokmin was polite. Respectful. The perfect husband on paper—never raised his voice, always made sure Shua had access to everything, attended every necessary company and family event hand-in-hand. But there was nothing behind those warm eyes when they looked at him. No spark. No teasing. No late-night talks or stolen kisses in the elevator like Shua had once daydreamed about.
Shua still tried, though. Every single day.
He left little notes with doodles on Seokmin’s desk. He adjusted the thermostat to Seokmin’s favorite temperature before he got home. He even wore the cologne Seokmin had once casually said smelled nice—once, five years ago.
Yet nothing.
“Earth to Shua-hyung!” Mingyu waved a hand in front of his face. “You zoning out thinking about your hot CEO husband again?”
Shua blinked, cheeks tinting the faintest pink. “I should get back to the new spring campaign. We have a meeting with the CEO later about the crossover line between cosmetics and perfume.”
The teasing whistles that followed him as he left the room made him shake his head fondly despite everything. His team meant well. They just didn’t understand how heavy one-sided love could feel after half a decade.
Up on the top floor, in the grand CEO’s office lined with awards and elegant product displays, Seokmin sat behind his massive desk, flipping through reports. His expression was calm, focused—the face of a capable leader who had taken over the family empire without complaint.
But if anyone looked closer, they might notice the way his fingers occasionally paused on certain documents… especially the ones signed by Joshua Hong.
Downstairs, Shua adjusted his tie in the elevator mirror, heart doing that stupid little flip it always did before seeing his husband.
“Fighting, Shua,” he whispered to his reflection with a small, determined smile. “Maybe today will be different.”