a song of ice and fire // jakehoon

dertig ;

Jake felt his shoulders go stiff when he heard a car pull up outside the house. He looked at Sunghoon beside him, who simply gripped his hand affectionately for a moment before standing up and going to the door to unlock for his parents. "Wait here," Sunghoon said, walking down the corridor. Jake was beyond nervous, and honestly didn't know what to expect.

"Sunghoon oppa!"

"Oh, Yeji-ah! Nice to see you." Some silence followed after some muffled talking. "Mmhm, I have a guest inside."

"Oh, who?"

"Uhm… my soulmate."

There was silence and Jake felt his heart grow cold. It was like that for a few moments before more muffled noises were said. Sunghoon spoke back, and the ice in his heart didn't disappear. Jake had a bad feeling about the entire ordeal. He felt his hands shaking slightly and the door suddenly closed. Hopefully his warmth would loosen them up.

He heard shuffling and three new figures joined Sunghoon in the living room. Jake quickly stood up and bowed to the couple walking beside one another. Sunghoon looked at him and immediately joined him by his side. "Uhm… Mom, Dad, Yeji… this is my b-boyfriend… uhm… Sim Jaeyoon."

Jake felt Sunghoon grab his wrist and they bowed together as greeting. Jake felt stiff from fear, and could barely put a smile on his face. He looked up, barely being able to look into their eyes. "H-hello, I'm… S-Sim Jaeyoon."

"Oh, hello," the young girl beside the woman smiled. "I'm Park Yeji, Sunghoon oppa's sister. Nice to meet you."

"So it's a boy," Mr Park muttered, running a hand over his short facial hair. "Didn't think you'd end up with a boy."

"He is rather warm, isn't he?" Mrs Park smiled softly, putting Jake at slight ease. He still didn't know how to react to anything they said, however, and was still quite stiff. "It's certainly unexpected, but… Sunghoon has been quite unhappy for the past few years. Let's give him what he wants this time, honey."

Sunghoon widened his eyes and Jake felt some of his warmth returning. Mr Park still had an undecipherable expression, so Jake had no idea how he felt about anything. At least he was able to press out a nervous smile.

"Oppa," Yeji eventually piped up, "it's freezing, can I make coffee?"

"I'll prepare the coffee," Jake said suddenly, walking down the corridor. Sunghoon bit his lips together nervously, but sighed softly as he ushered his family further into his home, but Yeji seemed to turn around and follow Jake.

"How long have you two known one another?" Mr Park asked as he sat down on the couch beside his wife.

"About three weeks," Sunghoon replied, sitting on the couch opposite them. "When he moved in, we met. He's from Australia, and prefers being called Jake."

"Oh, he's from out the country," Mrs Park said, a small smile on her lips.

"How've you been doing, son? We haven't spoken since last year," Mr Park said, crossing his arms. "How's your injury?"

"Uhm… doing much better, but… there's still some trouble with movement because I am impaired now," Sunghoon hummed, putting his hands on his lap.

"The skating scene really misses you, Sunghoon-ah," Mrs Park hummed. "You know, we can find a really good physiotherapist, and you'll be able to skate again after we sell this house—"

"I'm not leaving here," Sunghoon said softly, clenching his fists. "You can't sell my home. I live here. And stop trying to get me back into ice skating. I hate it so much. I don't want to skate."

"We already put the house up," Mr Park said. "I won't be surprised if we get a buyer soon. You'll have to return home soon, so you and your soulmate—"

Sunghoon looked up in shock. "What?!"

"Sunghoon, relax," Mrs Park said softly. "You can't continue to live off us in this manner. We didn't expect you to meet your soulmate either. But you need to move back to Seoul, Sunghoon…"

"I'm not leaving Jake," Sunghoon said quickly. "Take my home. Go ahead. But don't pull me away from Jake. I love him, and I won't let you take me from him. I'm staying here."

"Sunghoon, this is ridiculous," Mrs Park sighed, shaking her head. "You're a professional, you need to come back. You're letting love stop you—"

"Of course I'm letting love stop me," Sunghoon piped up his eyes filling up with tears. "You two caused me to hate myself so, so much, to the point where I couldn't stand living anymore. Jake… Jake makes me happy. He makes me want to live. I've never felt more alive. And if you think I'm going to return to a life I hate just because you asked me to, you're wrong."

His parents quiet, and Mrs Park looked away, her expression dark. Mr Park saw the look of determination in Sunghoon's eyes and promptly gave up. Sunghoon inhaled sharply and wiped his eyes, shaking his head.

"Where does this Jake boy live, I'd like to meet them later," Mr Park said. "And where's my coffee? That boyfriend of yours is taking his own sweet time, isn't he?"

Sunghoon widened his eyes as Jake subsequently walked into the living room, carrying a wooden tray with coffee cups on them. Yeji walked beside him until she got to her parents and sat down beside them.

"Where were you?" Mrs Park asked her daughter.

"Kitchen with Jake oppa," Yeji replied. "He most likely didn't know how you liked your coffee. Besides, you were arguing and I don't like arguing."

"Yeji," Mrs Park tutted, shaking her head. "Don't bother young Jake."

Yeji shrugged, sending her brother's soulmate a smile. "It's okay, Jake oppa is really nice. You're really lucky, Sunghoonie — treat him well. His warmth is valuable."

Mr and Mrs Park looked between the two for a bit and almost immediately realised that there was no use. They looked at one another, both simultaneously letting out a rather heavy sigh before Mrs Park spoke up first. "Jake, is it okay if we have a meeting with your parents?"