The Heroes

Feel Better Next Time

As Ni-ki entered his house, he immediately noticed the unusual quietness that enveloped the place. He shrugged off the feeling, attributing it to a simple coincidence, and headed straight to his room. Feeling exhausted, he decided to take a quick nap. As he dozed off, the day turned into evening, and he woke up feeling slightly disoriented.

Making his way downstairs, Ni-ki found Jay in the kitchen, preparing dinner. "Hey," he greeted casually, but Jay didn't respond, which immediately raised Ni-ki's concern. Jay continued cooking, and Ni-ki idly scrolled through his phone, trying to figure out what might be bothering him.

When Jay served the dinner, Ni-ki couldn't ignore the tension in the air. "Are you okay?" he asked, smiling, but his furrowed eyebrows gave away his worry. Jay replied tensely, "Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Though his words sounded confident, Ni-ki sensed something was off.

"Well, um, you seem pretty pent up," Ni-ki remarked, trying to ease the atmosphere. Jay smirked, but there was a growl in his voice as he responded, "Maybe that's because you happened to be pent up," catching Ni-ki off guard with the suggestive undertone.

Ni-ki was taken aback by the implication, "What? Why?" he chuckled, trying to play it off with humor. However, Jay wasn't amused and looked him in the eye, "You kept me up all night with your... noises," he said bluntly.

Ni-ki couldn't help but smile, realizing he had unintentionally affected Jay. "Oh, you heard that? Oof, that's embarrassing," he smirked, attempting to lighten the mood. But Jay didn't find it amusing; instead, he kept a stern expression, making Ni-ki realize that his teasing might have crossed a line.

"I don't know what game you're playing, but I guarantee it won't end well,"

Jay's warning lingered in the air as Ni-ki flashed him a mischievous smile, "Who said it wouldn't end well?" he playfully challenged. Jay let out a sigh, the weight of his concerns evident in his expression, "Another reason why you're not ready," he trailed off, attempting to shield Ni-ki from potential emotional fallout.

Refusing to back down, Ni-ki scoffed and rose from his seat, his determination evident as he followed Jay into the hallway. "Come on! What does that even mean?" Ni-ki pressed, seeking clarity. Jay's footsteps carried him forward, and he turned to face Ni-ki, his gaze steady and firm. "You're too eager. You should be mature enough to know when the time is right," Jay explained, trying to make Ni-ki understand the importance of patience and emotional readiness.

Ni-ki's lips pouted in response, feeling a mix of frustration and curiosity, "What's wrong with being... eager?" he asked, genuinely puzzled by Jay's cautionary approach. Jay's smirk revealed a hint of teasing, and he began to close the distance between them, holding Ni-ki's waist in a gentle yet possessive manner. "Because..." Jay started, his voice husky and filled with underlying desire, "we'd be doing it for all the wrong reasons," he admitted, hoping to protect Ni-ki's heart from any potential hurt.

"Do you really want that?" Jay whispered, seeking honesty from Ni-ki. A soft shake of the head was Ni-ki's response, and Jay couldn't help but smile, relieved by the genuine answer. "Then we'll leave it at that," Jay assured him, showing respect for Ni-ki's feelings. As he began to step away, Jay added with a playful glint in his eye, "And next time, try to be a little quieter," leaving Ni-ki flustered yet content with the promise of a future built on genuine emotions and mutual understanding.

🪗

Relishing in the warmth of Heesung's embrace, Jake released a satisfied sigh, feeling a sense of calm wash over him. However, the tranquility was short-lived as his phone buzzed, signaling a new message from his dad. Curiosity piqued, Jake unlocked his phone to find his dad inquiring about his whereabouts. With practiced ease, he swiftly replied, crafting a message that assured he was at a friend's place. But his father's concern persisted, demanding he return home.