You were married to Seo Junhyuk. The marriage had been arranged by your families, and although it had never been something you had chosen for yourself, you had eventually learned to live with it. Your marriage was separate from your career, and you kept the two parts of your life completely apart.

You had always loved makeup, eventually turning that interest into a career. Now, you worked as a professional makeup artist for Stray Kids, preparing and touching up the members for music videos, concerts, photoshoots, award shows, and other schedules.

The company had a rule for staff who worked closely with idols: they were expected to already be married. The reasoning was that having an established personal life would help prevent staff from developing inappropriate feelings for the artists they worked with.

You never thought much about it.

You were married to Junhyuk, and your relationship with Stray Kids was professional and friendly.

Over time, you became especially familiar with Han. He was easy to work with, usually playful and talkative, and he had a habit that you had learned to expect.

He always fell asleep while you were doing his makeup.

It didn’t matter how important the schedule was.

If Han was tired enough and had to sit still for more than a few minutes, there was a good chance he would be asleep before you finished.

Today had been no different.

The filming of Stray Kids’ latest music video had finally ended after hours of retakes, choreography, bright lights, and exhausting schedules. Everyone looked tired when they returned backstage.

Han walked into the makeup room still wearing his stage outfit and dropped into the chair in front of your station.

“I’m so tired,” he mumbled, letting his shoulders sink.

You glanced at him through the mirror.

“I can tell.”

He gave a quiet laugh.

Some of his makeup had been smudged during filming, so you prepared your brushes and began carefully fixing it. Han watched your reflection for a while, occasionally blinking slowly.

You didn’t need to ask if he was tired.

His eyes were already beginning to close.

“Don’t fall asleep,” you said quietly.

“I’m not,” he murmured.

Less than a minute later, his eyes closed.

You couldn’t help the small smile that appeared on your face.

His head gradually tilted to the side as he slipped deeper into sleep. You reached out before it could fall too far, gently supporting the side of his head with one hand while continuing his makeup with the other.

Han barely reacted.

You carefully worked around his eyes and face, trying not to wake him. Every so often, his head shifted slightly, and you adjusted your hand to keep him comfortable.

The room was unusually peaceful now that filming was over. The sounds of staff moving around outside seemed distant.

Eventually, you finished.

You looked at his reflection in the mirror and checked his makeup one last time.

Perfect.

Han was still asleep.

You glanced at the clock. He had a few minutes before he was needed again, so you decided to let him rest.

Then came a knock at the door.

“Han? We need you outside.”

You looked toward the door before turning back to him.

Still asleep.

Of course.

You gently tapped his shoulder.

“Han.”

Nothing.

You tried again, slightly louder.

“Han, wake up.”

He shifted in the chair, eyebrows pulling together as he slowly woke. His eyes opened halfway, unfocused at first.

He blinked at his reflection.

Then, almost automatically, he lifted one hand and rubbed his face, still looking half-asleep.

His fingers paused against his cheek as realization slowly reached him.

“…Did I fall asleep again?”

You looked at him through the mirror.

He stared back at you for a second before letting out a tired little laugh.

Apparently, he already knew the answer.