raspberries and mocha | heejake ✔

48

Heeseung felt an overwhelming sense of relief seeing Sunghoon walk through the restaurant doors, alive and kicking despite that wretched immune system. He practically high-fived himself internally—finally, the cavalry had arrived. With Jay here, Sunghoon back, and the business flowing smoothly, Heeseung felt a rare optimism flickering inside him. Today would be a good day.

Or so he thought.

They slipped into their work rhythm with ease. Heeseung moved between tables, taking orders with his usual charm, and Sunghoon—despite being freshly back from illness—grumbled his way through his tasks, pretending not to care while doing everything perfectly. It was oddly comforting. Jay drifted between the front and back, picking up slack wherever needed, and every so often, he'd shoot Heeseung a reassuring glance as if to say, See? We've got this.

Heeseung believed him. Things were slowly falling into place.

But midway through their shift, just as they took a break in the back room, chaos arrived—though not in the form of demanding customers.

"Hi, Jayjay," Jungwon's soft voice echoed from the staff room doorway, immediately drawing Jay's attention.

Before Heeseung could even react, Jay practically launched himself at Jungwon, pulling him into a kiss without a second thought.

"Oh my god," Heeseung muttered under his breath, turning away with an amused smile. Of course, he thought. Jay had been pining for Jungwon for so long, and now, here they were, fully embracing their not-so-secret relationship.

As Jay and Jungwon got lost in each other, Heeseung's heart swelled—not with jealousy, but with happiness. It felt good to see Jay happy, no longer that emotionally frustrated mess. He'd spent so long thinking Jay would die alone (or at least be bitchless forever), so this small joy was a sight for sore eyes.

Eventually, Jungwon detached himself from Jay and waddled over to Heeseung like a puppy looking for affection. Without hesitation, he threw his arms around him, and Heeseung chuckled softly as he wrapped the smaller boy in a warm hug. Jungwon always had a way of lifting his spirits, acting like a little brother or even a second son. Heeseung ruffled Jungwon's hair with a fond grin.

"How are you now, hyung?" Jungwon asked, looking up at him with big, curious eyes.

"I'm fine," Heeseung replied, patting his head. "Better than I've been in a while."

Jungwon hummed contentedly and hugged him tighter. "That's good. We missed you, you know."

Heeseung's heart softened even more at that. Moments like these made everything seem bearable—like maybe things would finally start to settle. He could manage the migraines. He had people who cared about him. He'd be okay.

But just as he began to relax into the moment, something outside the room caught his attention.

He blinked, his body going rigid.

It was a figure—familiar, hauntingly familiar—moving outside the restaurant.

Heeseung's stomach twisted. No. It couldn't be.

He leaned closer toward the window, his eyes narrowing as the figure passed by. His heart thumped hard against his ribcage.

That walk...Those eyes...

It was Jake. Heeseung was sure of it. His breath hitched as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. What would Jake be doing here? Why now?

For a split second, he wondered if his mind was playing tricks on him. He hadn't seen Jake in so long, and the lingering emotions swirling inside him could easily have conjured up a mirage. But no. His eyes never lied. Jake was right there.

Jungwon, noticing the shift in Heeseung's expression, tilted his head. "Hyung? What's wrong?"

"Is Jake here?" Heeseung's voice trailed off, still staring out the window, disbelief written all over his face.

Jungwon blinked, his eyebrows shooting up. "What? No he isn't. He's at the office right now—why would he be here?"

Heeseung barely registered Jungwon's words, his gaze locked onto the figure just outside the restaurant. It was Jake. He was certain. His pulse raced, every nerve in his body on edge.

Jungwon tugged on his sleeve gently. "Hyung, are you sure? Maybe you're just—"

"No," Heeseung interrupted, his voice quiet but firm. "That's him. I know it is."

Jungwon's face twisted in concern, but before he could say anything more, the figure slipped further down the street.

Heeseung stood frozen, torn between the impulse to follow and the ache in his chest reminding him that seeing Jake again was dangerous—emotionally dangerous. Jake's presence tugged at old wounds, ones Heeseung had been trying desperately to heal.

But what was Jake doing here?

And more importantly...why now?