idol no love | jakehoon

twenty-six. revelations

The events that followed couldn't be called uneventful but neither was it eventful. To say Sunghoon was upset would be an understatement but hey, it wasn't Jake he was mad at. So Jake couldn't bring himself to care.

Jaemin was particularly very worried about how the stalker entered the apartment, as far as anyone was concerned, it was a high-end condominium famous for their security. So, how did she get in?

"We're looking into it," said a policeman.

Sunghoon had more or less forgotten about the stalker, despite her wailing for him to save her and professing her unconditional love. Her cry was so loud it awoke the entire neighbourhood, even the dogs.

"Don't do this ever again," said Sunghoon, thumbs gently rubbing Jake's palm as he looked down with forecasted spirits.

Jake sighed. Today was especially tiring, and the idol had never looked so worned out. "I'm sorry," was all he could come up with. "But you have to admit, I did a good job right?" At the end, he grinned.

Sunghoon finally met his eyes, and a smile broke out. He pulled Jake closer and hugged him, "you did amazing. But it was dangerous and I never want you to do this by yourself lest it were to happen again, which I pray will never repeat."

Jake smiled sheepishly. He returned the hug, his arms snaked under the idol's arms and enveloped him wholly. "I love you, Sunghoon."

Sunghoon kissed his forehead, their difference making it easier than appeared. "I love you too, Jake." Then he craned down and buried his head in the latter's hair.

His anger dissipated, leaving him thirsty for the warmth of the man in his embrace. He closed his eyes, tired, but hopeful peace will prevail from hereon. The day's events had tired him sheepishly; he couldn't be bothered to care about anyone or anything except his lover whose existence solely tied him down to the ground. A horrifying thought crossed his mind then—

A world without Jake.

A world without his lover.

A sardonic smile cracked his lips; so, love had taught him how to fear. It was a humbling experience. He shrugged his shoulders and guided Jake to his car, they had agreed to spend the night at his place seeing as Sunghoon's only abode in this godforsaken city had been proven unsafe.

If there is no Sim Jaeyun in this world, then there simply isn't any Park Sunghoon either.

♡

The sudden appearance of Park Sunghoon meant that Jay had to cook up another plate. Not that he minded. But what he did mind was how haggard the new lovers looked and as Jake narrated the day's event to them over in the common room, Jay couldn't help but pinch his eyebrows in sheer concern.

Forget congratulating his friend for bagging his celebrity crush, a feat regarded as impossible, the excitement was short lived with audible gasps and grunts as Jake exposed Park Jeongwoo for the person he had been.

"I knew it!" Jungwon slammed his pillow in frustration. "That bastard was always sketchy, arrogant to a fault and creepy."

"What about the stalker? Was she really a minor?" asked Ni-ki, very invested.

"Yeah. A high school senior."

"Great. She's gonna walk away with just a warning, won't she?" Sunoo seemed to have grasped the problem of the situation.

"What?! Just because she's only a few months away from eighteen doesn't mean she can walk away after trying to harm someone!" exclaimed Jungwon, upset. Then his eyes flickered to Sunghoon who had an ice bag pressed to his forehead with his eyes closed and a deep frown and he pursed his lips.

The usually arrogant, aloof and bedazzling Park Sunghoon was heaving up and down heavily with a weary look on him. Jake held the ice bag for him. He took it off to check his temperature, and when he found that the idol was blaring up, he pinched his eyebrows and came up with an excuse.

"Excuse us, guys. Sunghoon's kinda feverish so I'm gonna take him to my room."

"Okay. I'll drop dinner when it's ready," said Jay. He was as close to a parent-figure within the group, not that he had any problem with the role. Jay loved taking care of others—a rare trait not found in anyone else—and the rest of the boys were glad they had someone older to confide in.

Sunghoon settled down on the bed, he heaved a sigh with a smile. The entire room reeked of Jake, the colours and quilts were all of him too. He couldn't ask for a better place to rest after all the chaos.

"Are you hungry? I can go down and get something to eat," said Jake, worry written all over his face.

Sunghoon pulled him down beside him instead. "No. I just want to rest then we'll go down to eat, okay?"

They were so… cozy.

Jake could feel his heart thumping, pounding slowly but erratically in his chest rendering him speechless. Hopefully, he prayed, the idol hadn't heard it. He surmised it would be so darn embarrassing.

"Mmm." He hummed and nestled closer to the idol's neck.

"I've never been this anxious in my life. First, my shitty cousin and ny sister. I was worried about what would happen to us; how would you react when you found out about what happened. It all happened because of my shitty family so I was scared that you would leave me. Second, when I came home and saw the police. When they briefed me about what happened, my head was spinning with thoughts of your safety. I guess you can say that the entire day I was up on my feet, terrified of losing you because of my dysfunctional life."

Words couldn't describe how he truly felt; fear, confusion, reflection and anxiety. He had never felt so human, so afraid, and as he looked down at the cause of those emotions, Sunghoon realised he was a lucky bastard.

Jake's breath tickled his skin. "I'm not going anywhere, idiot." His voice was muffled and Sunghoon could only assume the latter was choked up about his confession.

Sunghoon pulled him closer so that their chest collided, and he said after pressing a sweet kiss on his forehead, "I really, really am in love with you, Jake."

And in return, he was answered with the drumming of Jake's heart, mesmerizingly loud and undeniable.

Jake really, really loves Sunghoon too.