raspberries and mocha | heejake

11

Heeseung was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when he heard Riki call out his name from the table, where he sat with the stranger. "Dad! Come here!"

Reluctantly, Heeseung sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets as he made his way over. He slid into the seat opposite Riki, stealing a quick glance at the stranger, who was now focused on his phone. The tension in the air was palpable, and Heeseung's stomach fluttered nervously.

"Why are you just standing there? You're supposed to be enjoying yourself!" Riki said, his voice playful as he gestured toward the stranger. "Hey, you! Get off your phone and actually talk to us."

The stranger shot Riki a grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief, but he didn't respond. Heeseung felt a twinge of annoyance that Riki hadn't mentioned his name. He wished he could know more about this guy without feeling like he was intruding.

"Seriously, Heeseung, you should get drunk!" Riki insisted, his eyes wide with enthusiasm.

Heeseung raised an eyebrow. "I have thirty more minutes of work after break ends, Riki."

"Come on! Just one shot! It'll be fun!" Riki begged, his hands clasped together as he leaned forward in excitement.

With an exasperated sigh, Heeseung gave in. "Fine, just one."

Riki clapped his hands together in glee. He gestured for the bartender, who quickly brought over a shot of vodka. Heeseung grimaced at the clear liquid, knowing he wouldn't enjoy it, but he tossed it back in one swift motion. "Ew," he muttered, scrunching his face as the burn coursed down his throat.

"See? Now you're part of the fun!" Riki laughed, clearly pleased with himself. They started chatting about random topics—the latest social media trends, Riki's recent photo shoots, and even the most ridiculous viral challenges.

Their banter was cut short when a group of girls squealed nearby, their voices echoing through the restaurant. "Oh my god, it's Ni-ki!" one of them shouted.

Riki rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed. "I'll be right back. Duty calls," he said, rising from his seat. "Don't go anywhere, okay?" He shot a pointed look at Heeseung before heading over to the girls, who were already surrounding him for photos.

Heeseung shifted awkwardly in his seat, suddenly aware that he was left alone with the beautiful stranger. He stole a glance at him, who was now looking up from his phone with a smirk. The stranger leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, watching Heeseung with a curious expression.

"Not a fan of fans?" the stranger asked, breaking the silence.

Heeseung swallowed hard, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks. "Not really. I prefer a quieter atmosphere."

"Yeah, I can see that," the stranger replied, a hint of amusement in his tone. "I'm Jaeyun, by the way. But I go by Jake."

"Jake" Heeseung echoed, trying the name out loud, a smile creeping onto his face. He knew very well the name would now linger in his head for god knows how long. "I'm Heeseung."

"Nice to meet you, Heeseung," Jake said, his gaze locking onto Heeseung's with an intensity that made his heart race. "So, what's it like being Riki's guardian? He talks about you all the time."

"Does he?" Heeseung teased, causing Jake to smirk over. "Mm, I guess I'm just...looking out for him," Heeseung replied, feeling his nerves start to settle. "He's been through a lot, and I want to make sure he's okay."

Jake nodded, his expression softening. "That's really sweet of you. Not everyone would take on that responsibility at such a young age."

Heeseung felt a warmth spread through him at the compliment. "Thanks, I just want him to have a good life. And he did it all without my help." He proudly remarked.

"Oh please," Jake laughed. Damn, that might have been the most sweet laugh Heeseung has ever heard. "Give yourself some credit. You're the reason he's all happy and healthy."

They continued to talk, laughter mingling with the clinking of glasses and chatter around them. Heeseung couldn't help but feel a sense of ease wash over him as he conversed with Jake, the earlier tension dissipating.

But just as he began to enjoy himself, Riki returned, a wide grin on his face, clearly exhilarated from the attention. "Did you guys get to know each other? Heeseung, Jake is a total legend! You should hear the stories he has!"

Heeseung exchanged glances with Jake, both of them smiling at Riki's enthusiasm. The night was still young, and Heeseung could sense that this was only the beginning of something exciting.

Heeseung felt the alcohol kicking in, the warmth spreading through his body and loosening the tension that had been building all evening. The sound of laughter and chatter faded into the background as he focused on Jake, who sat across from him, his dark hair falling perfectly over his forehead. Jake was captivating in every sense—his smile, the way he leaned forward, the way his eyes sparkled with mischief.

Suddenly, Heeseung found himself staring. And when Jake caught him in the act, Heeseung froze, his heart racing. The younger boy's lips curled into an amused smirk, his big eyes sparkling with playfulness. "What are you doing, Heeseung?" he teased, tilting his head slightly.

Heeseung blinked, momentarily thrown off guard by the question. "Just admiring the view," he replied smoothly, a cocky grin spreading across his face.

Jake raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by Heeseung's confidence. "Oh really? I didn't know I was so captivating," he said, leaning in slightly, closing the distance between them.

Heeseung couldn't help but chuckle, his heart racing even faster now. Feeling bold, he shifted a little closer to Jake's side, the heat of their bodies mingling. "I have to show you something," he whispered, leaning in so that their lips were almost touching, sending shivers down Jake's spine.

Jake's grin widened, clearly intrigued. "Okay," he said, his voice low and inviting. "Lead the way."

With that, they excused themselves from Riki, who was busy taking selfies with a group of girls, completely oblivious to what was about to unfold. Heeseung grabbed Jake's hand, feeling a rush of excitement as he guided him through the bustling restaurant, the vibrant atmosphere buzzing with energy.