A garden for two | heehoon

lovebirds

Heeseung and Sunghoon sat at the table with Jake, the warm scent of pastries filling the cozy kitchen.

Sunghoon took small bites of a croissant, his eyes flickering between Heeseung and Jake as they chatted lightly.

His fingers, pale and slender, gingerly broke apart the flaky layers, a soft smile tugging at his lips as Heeseung reached over and brushed a crumb from his cheek.

Heeseung, more casual in his movements, grabbed a cinnamon roll and tore off a piece, offering it to Sunghoon.
"Try this."

Sunghoon hesitated for only a second before taking the bite, his eyes lighting up with a shy smile of approval.

"It’s good."
Sunghoon murmured.

Heeseung smiled at that, leaning back in his chair, watching Sunghoon enjoy the moment.

Jake, meanwhile, was half listening to their exchange, nibbling on his own chocolate muffin.

He couldn't shake the slight feeling of curiosity that had been gnawing at him since he first laid eyes on Sunghoon.

Sunghoon stood up after finishing his croissant.
“I’m going to take a shower.”
He mumbled, more to Heeseung than Jake.

Heeseung nodded, his hand brushing against Sunghoon’s as the boy passed by.

“Take your time.”
Heeseung said softly, his gaze following Sunghoon until he disappeared down the hallway.

As the bathroom door closed, the atmosphere in the kitchen shifted slightly.

Jake sat up straighter, clearing his throat, the question that had been sitting at the back of his mind pushing its way forward.

Heeseung was busy chewing the last bite of his cinnamon roll, glancing over at Jake with a raised eyebrow.

“So..”
Jake began slowly, trying to find the right words.
“How old is Sunghoon?”

Heeseung blinked, caught off guard by the question.

He swallowed, then leaned back in his chair, eyeing Jake curiously.
“Why do you ask?”

Jake shrugged, his expression casual, but his curiosity was evident.

“I mean.. he just looks so young. I didn’t realize he was-”
Jake hesitated, glancing toward the hallway before continuing.
“He looks younger than I expected, that’s all.”

Heeseung leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

His gaze shifted briefly to the hallway, as if making sure Sunghoon wasn’t within earshot, before settling back on Jake.

He let out a quiet sigh, his expression softening, but there was a certain caution in his eyes.

“He’s eighteen now.”
Heeseung said, his voice calm but guarded.

He glanced again toward the hallway, a subtle tension in his posture as if he didn’t want to elaborate further.

Jake’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“But.. he was seventeen when..”
His voice trailed off, the unspoken words hanging in the air, the implication heavy between them.

Heeseung’s lips pressed into a thin line as he gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

“Yeah.”
Heeseung muttered, sitting up straighter, his hand resting on the edge of the table.
“But keep your voice down.”
He added quickly, lowering his tone.
“He doesn’t need to hear this.”

Jake blinked, a flicker of guilt crossing his face.
“I didn’t mean to..”

“I know.”
Heeseung interrupted, his voice soft but firm.
“But he’s.. sensitive about it. About his age, I mean. I don’t want him feeling insecure, thinking he’s too young or immature for me.”