a song of ice and fire // jakehoon

vyf ;

"Don't put that couch there yet, we have to put the carpet down first! Changmin-ah!"

"We've been married for 19 years and I still can't understand you sometimes. You just said 'bring the couch in'!"

"Let's go upstairs," Hyunseong said softly, tapping Jake's arm. His younger brother nodded, and Hyunseong quickly announced that they'd tidy up upstairs before they began walking up the stairs. Jake and his brother made it upstairs, entering the guest bedroom that was temporarily a storage room.

"Noona, I'm sorry," Jake said immediately. "I want to call you 'noona' around them, but they might feel that something is off. I'm sorry."

Hyunseong smiled softly, ruffling Jake's hair. "It's okay, I'm not a sister yet. It'll happen soon. For now, you can just call me 'noona' when we're alone."

"Have you decided on a name yet?" Jake asked, walking over to the window and drawing the curtains open quickly, the dust floating everywhere immediately. "Hyunseong sounds a bit masculine. I'd like… Hyuna! Hyuna is a nice name."

"I like it too," Hyunseong smiled. He pulled a chair and sat on it, pointing to his back-length hair. Jake knew what to do and gently ran his fingers through Hyunseong's hair before splitting it into four. "It's just… I don't know their stance on the trans community. I don't know if it'll be safe to come out. Ow, be careful."

"Sorry." Jake held his hand out and Hyunseong passed him the hairband in his hand. "But I'm okay with calling you by a girl. If it's what you want, I'll do it. I want my noona to be happy, of course." He gently pulled Hyunseong's bangs, gently placing them on the side of his face. He smiled, proud of the braiding he had done. "It's not messy this time, I'm surprised."

"I bet it's pretty," Hyunseong smiled, standing up from the chair. "Look, from now on… call me 'noona' around them. I'm your sister. I found a pharmacy around here that sells hormones, so I'm starting my transition tomorrow."

Jake widened his eyes worriedly, putting a hand on Hyunseong's arm. "Are… are you sure? I mean, it's a bit soon. We just moved in, too. Look, I'll even ask them what they think about the trans community, okay?"

Hyunseong fell silent, looking out the window at the grey clouds lining the sky. Jake joined him beside him, leaning againt the window sill. "I'd rather be gendered properly, than to be called as a male anymore. Please, I'm no longer male, Jaeyoon. Call… call me Hyuna. Or Jane."

Jake smiled, putting his head on her shoulder with a smile. "Okay, noona."

"So when is this boyfriend of yours coming over?"

"He's not my boyfriend."

"Yet."

"… yeah."

•

Sunghoon was nervous as he walked down the street. The cold attacked his neck, but he barely felt anything at that point. All he wanted was to hold Jake for at least a few more seconds to feel that warmth that barely got him through the night. He was nervous about meeting Jake's family, especially Jake's sister. Apparently, she was quite protective of her brother, but Jake said she'd be accepting.

He turned the corner, his eyes landing on the house with the address Jake had written down. Sunghoon smiled slightly to himself as he sped up. Yes, he was almost fifteen minutes early to their organised meeting, but he was excited, and he could tell that Jake was impatient as well. Sunghoon neared the rusted gate, and he was sure his heart was about to stop due to cardiac arrest.

"Sunghoon-ah!"

Jake was near the entrance of the house, up the winding path about fifteen metres away from the nearby river. Sunghoon smiled brightly, walking up the path to the brunette boy. Jake walked forward as well, meeting him near the middle of the path and pulling his into a tight hug. Sunghoon's body relaxed in his warm hug, comfort draining his worries away. He felt happy in Jake's arms.

"I missed you," Sunghoon muttered, making Jake laugh nervously as he pulled from the hug. However, Sunghoon was quick to pull him back in. "Oh my god, it's better than yesterday…"

Jake smiled gently, putting his arms around Sunghoon's neck. "You must've really missed me, Sunghoon…"

"Of course I missed you, Jake," Sunghoon said quickly, eventually pulling from the hug. "You're even more beautiful during the day. Wow."

"Did you just 'wow' me? Oh my God, you're whipped," Jake laughed, ruffling Sunghoon's hair gently. "It's kinda cold out here, so let's get inside. My parents are arguing about where to put the couch and my… s-sister and I are kind of avoiding them."

Sunghoon raised an eyebrow. "The couch? Oh, I'll help, then. I want to make a good impression on your family."

Jake smiled as Sunghoon bravely — much braver than what Jake was — took his hands and they walked up the path together. Jake saw no sight of his family — except his sister, who was standing by the window upstairs. Jake smiled at Hyuna as they walked into the house.

"Mom, Dad — Sunghoon's arrived," Jake called out, pointing to the coat rack so that Sunghoon knew where to put his coat. As if he had summoned them, Jake's parents peeked out from behind a wall and gasped simultaneously, their excitement not being masked at all.

"Jakey's boyfriend has arrived!" Mrs Sim exclaimed, running forward and hugging Sunghoon tightly. "Oh my, you're freezing! Come, come, I'll brew some coffee for us. Changmin, look at this handsome boy! My, our Jake is so lucky."

Sunghoon laughed shyly, bowing politely to the two adults. "Hello, I'm Park Sunghoon, nice to meet you."

"I'm Mr Sim to you, and this is my wife," Mr Sim smiled, patting Sunghoon's back. "Come inside, it's much warmer indoors. Excuse the slight mess, we're still setting up the place."

"It's much warmer than my own home," Sunghoon smiled. "So… is Jake's sister—"

"Hyunseong hyung is upstairs right now," Jake said quickly, sending Sunghoon a wink. "He's busy right now, you can meet him when I show you my room."

Sunghoon was confused but he nodded and followed Jake and his parents indoors. He smiled, nonetheless, feeling the gentle warmth of their home overcome him so beautifully. The extra warmth of Jake's hand intertwined with his own just made the day seem ever so sweet and warm.

Sunghoon's heart was still beautifully drawn to Jake's, and he never felt happier.