---
"i'm sorry, heeseung. i have to travel abroad for a month. therefore, we will need to postpone our next session until I return."
heeseung nodded as he buttoned up his coat.
"did something happen?" he asked, sensing some urgency in her voice.
the woman shook her head, beaming with joy. "i'm getting married."
---
jake carried heeseung on his back as he entered the house, feeling the warmth of his body against his own. he was pretty sure the other was drooling on his shoulder, but he didn't bother to check.
"jake..." he heard a soft whisper in his right ear.
he shifted his gaze towards heeseung. their faces were so close, making jake's face flush. he looked at heeseung's lips, which were slightly parted, a little saliva glistening on the corner of his lips, making jake's tongue flicker. he looked up and saw that heeseung's eyes were closed, his eyelashes casting shadows on his cheeks.
jake sat still for some minutes in the living room, enjoying the closeness of heeseung and not being bothered by the other's weight.
he decided to try to carry heeseung upstairs so he could comfortably lay in the bed.
jake looked around the space, noticing the timeless atmosphere of heeseung's house.
everything looked, smelled, and felt so familiar, making him feel like he was welcomed, like he belonged there.
after reaching heeseung's bedroom, he placed his hand on the wall, trying to find the light switch in the dark. he sighed after searching for a while.
he made a few steps forward, cursing under his breath when he felt his toes hit the side of the bed.
jake turned around, carefully placing heeseung on the bed.
he turned on the lamp on the nightstand.
jake walked back towards heeseung, taking off the latter's shoes.
he heard heeseung murmur something. when jake looked at him, he noticed heeseung's eyes were opened.
"you didn't answer my question," heeseung said in a raspy voice.
jake figured he wasn't fully awake. he kneeled, so his face was at the same level and at a close distance to heeseung's.
"oh yeah?" jake asked quietly.
heeseung tried to stand up, but jake put his hand on the other's chest and pushed him back down.
"you're not sober," he added.
"i don't need to be sober." heeseung sighed and closed his eyes. he grabbed jake's hand and easily pulled the younger towards him. jake was taken by surprise, so he fell right next to heeseung.
the two of them were facing each other. jake intended to stand up, but heeseung was holding him by the wrist.
"stay with me," the older whispered.
