raspberries and mocha | heejake

23

The park was a short walk away, and as they strolled hand in hand, Heeseung couldn't help but steal glances at Jake. The soft glow of the streetlights highlighted the contours of his face, and Heeseung felt a warmth spread through him that had nothing to do with the chilly night air.

Once they arrived at the riverside, the scene was breathtaking. The water shimmered under the moonlight, creating a serene atmosphere. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees, and the sounds of the city faded into a soothing background hum. Jake let go of Heeseung's hand and rushed toward the water's edge, peering down at the rippling surface.

"Wow, it's so beautiful here!" Jake exclaimed, his voice filled with awe. Heeseung joined him, standing beside Jake as they both took in the scenery.

"It really is," Heeseung agreed, his gaze shifting from the water to Jake's profile. "I'm glad we came."

Jake turned to face him, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "You know, I used to come here a lot when I was younger. I always thought it was a perfect spot to clear my mind."

"Did you come here alone?" Heeseung asked, genuinely curious.

"Sometimes. But usually, I came with Sunoo, Jungwon and Riki," Jake replied, a hint of nostalgia in his tone. "We would come here to hang out, talk, and just be silly. I always felt so relaxed by the water."

Heeseung chuckled softly. "I can see why. It's nice to escape the noise of everything else, even if just for a moment."

They walked along the riverbank, the soft sound of water lapping against the shore creating a peaceful ambiance. Jake occasionally skipped stones, his laughter ringing out whenever he managed to get a nice skip. Heeseung found himself captivated by Jake's joy, feeling as if the world around them faded away.

"Your turn!" Jake called out, grabbing a smooth stone and tossing it toward Heeseung. Heeseung caught it effortlessly, examining it with a grin.

"Alright, watch this!" He took a few steps back, his brow furrowing in concentration as he aimed for the water. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the stone skipping across the surface. It bounced three times before sinking, and he turned to Jake, a triumphant smile on his face.

"Not bad for a mocha guy, huh?" Heeseung teased.

Jake clapped his hands in mock astonishment. "Impressive! You might have a hidden talent there."

They continued walking, sharing more playful banter as they enjoyed the night. After a while, they found a small grassy patch where they decided to sit. Jake flopped down onto the grass, stretching out like a starfish and letting out a contented sigh.

"Can you believe how nice this is?" he said, looking up at the sky dotted with stars.

Heeseung lay down beside him, their shoulders brushing against each other. "It really is perfect. Just us, the stars, and the river."

"Yep," Jake replied, his gaze still fixed on the sky. "I love moments like this. It feels so...peaceful."

Heeseung turned his head to look at Jake, who was now propped up on his elbows, gazing dreamily at the stars. "You seem really in your element tonight," he noted, feeling the warmth of their earlier connection return.

"I am!" Jake exclaimed, flashing Heeseung a bright smile. "And it's all because I'm here with you."

"Really?" Heeseung's heart fluttered at the compliment, and he couldn't help but smile back.

"Yeah! You make everything better," Jake replied, his voice softening. "Even when things get tough at work, just thinking about you makes me feel better."