𝐈𝐌 𝐓𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐃

𝟎𝟎𝟓

Later that night, Jake found himself in Sunghoon's room, the atmosphere soft and warm. The dim light from the bedside lamp cast a gentle glow, creating a cozy cocoon that felt like a safe haven amidst the chaos of his mind. Sunghoon sat on the edge of his bed, his expression inviting and patient, as if he could sense the tumultuous waves still crashing within Jake.

Jake fidgeted with the hem of his hoodie, the weight of the day pressing down on him. Sunghoon had insisted they talk, and while he wanted to open up, the words were still lodged in his throat, tangled up with fear and doubt.

"Hey," Sunghoon said softly, breaking the silence. "It's okay. You don't have to say anything if you're not ready. I'm just glad you're here." He patted the spot next to him on the bed, an invitation that felt both comforting and intimidating.

Jake hesitated for a moment before moving closer, settling onto the bed beside Sunghoon. The space between them felt electric, charged with unspoken emotions. He could feel Sunghoon's warmth radiating toward him, a tangible reminder that he wasn't alone.

Sunghoon shifted slightly, wrapping an arm around Jake's shoulders and pulling him closer. Jake melted against him, resting his head against Sunghoon's shoulder. The embrace was both a refuge and a reminder of the weight pressing on his heart.

"Do you want to talk about what happened earlier?" Sunghoon asked gently, his voice steady and soothing.

"I don't know," Jake admitted, his voice muffled against Sunghoon's shirt. "I just feel so lost, like I'm in this deep hole and I can't find a way out."

Sunghoon tightened his hold, his fingers playing with Jake's hair in a way that felt calming. "You don't have to have all the answers right now. Just being here is a step in the right direction. It's okay to not know how to fix everything."

Jake closed his eyes, breathing in the familiar scent of Sunghoon's cologne, mixed with the faint aroma of laundry detergent. It was comforting, grounding. "I'm just scared, Sunghoon. Scared of how heavy everything feels and how I can't shake this feeling of... of not being enough."

"You are enough," Sunghoon replied, his voice firm yet soft. "You've always been enough. It's okay to feel overwhelmed, but don't let that feeling define you. You're so much more than your struggles."

Jake felt a tear slip down his cheek, and he quickly brushed it away. "I don't want to be a burden to you or the others. I hate feeling like this. I hate seeing the worry in your eyes."

Sunghoon shifted so that he could look directly into Jake's eyes, the sincerity in his gaze piercing through the fog of Jake's despair. "You're not a burden, Jake. You're my best friend. I want to be here for you, to help carry some of that weight. It's not a burden; it's a privilege."

The warmth in Sunghoon's words sent another wave of emotion crashing over him. Jake let out a shaky breath, the walls he had built around himself beginning to crack. "I don't want to drag you down."

"You're not dragging me down," Sunghoon said, his voice unwavering. "You're lifting me up. Being your friend means sharing everything, the good and the bad. You're not alone in this."

Jake shifted slightly, feeling the vulnerability of the moment. "What if I can't get through this? What if it just keeps getting worse?"

"Then we'll face it together," Sunghoon assured him, pulling him even closer. "I won't let you fight this battle alone. We'll take it one day at a time. If you fall, I'll catch you. Just like you've always done for me."

As Sunghoon's words wrapped around him like a warm blanket, Jake felt something inside him begin to shift. Maybe he could lean on someone for once. Maybe it was okay to let someone in, even if it terrified him.

The vulnerability in the air was palpable, but the warmth of Sunghoon's embrace provided a sense of safety that made the fear feel a little less suffocating. "I really appreciate you, you know," Jake said quietly, a small smile breaking through his tears. "You always know how to make me feel better."

Sunghoon smiled back, his eyes softening. "That's what best friends are for. Just remember, you don't have to be strong all the time. It's okay to lean on me. I'm right here, no matter what."

Jake took a deep breath, allowing himself to relax into Sunghoon's embrace. He felt the tension begin to melt away, replaced by the warmth of friendship and understanding. They sat there in silence, the weight of the world still lingering but feeling a little lighter, if only for the moment.

As he closed his eyes, the tears began to flow again, but this time they felt different-more like a release than a burden. In that moment, wrapped in Sunghoon's arms, Jake realized that maybe it was okay to be vulnerable. Maybe it was okay to not have all the answers. And for the first time in a long time, he felt a glimmer of hope-an inkling that he could find his way back to himself with the help of those who loved him.

Sunghoon's heartbeat steadied him, a reminder that he was not alone in this fight. Together, they would face whatever darkness lay ahead, and Jake knew, deep down, that he was ready to try.