Ineffable 𓇢𓆸 || Jakehoon

🍂 Chapter 62🍂

A Week Later...

Time feels like it's slipping away, dragging its feet and running at the same time. I still can't quite get used to how my body feels-like it's not mine, like I'm stuck in this half-remembered version of myself that doesn't quite fit. My leg is getting better, though I'm still limping, the sharp pain only a dull throb now, mostly manageable. But my stomach? It still hurts sometimes. Not enough to make me stay down, but just enough to remind me that I'm not fully healed yet. That maybe I never will be.

Sunghoon's been here every day, every hour, like he's glued to my side, as if he's afraid I'll break if he lets go. I can't blame him. Hell, sometimes I feel like I might break too.

"I'm fine," I say, but it sounds weak even to my own ears. The words are hollow, but it's easier than telling him the truth-that I'm not fine, not really. That my body's still betraying me, and no matter how much I want to pretend everything's okay, it isn't.

But I can't stay inside any longer. I can't just lie here while the others are out there doing what they can, helping wherever they can. I have to be useful. I can't just wait around to heal. Not when I feel so useless.

I push myself to stand, gripping the edge of the table with both hands. My legs wobble, and for a second, I think I might collapse back down, but I refuse to let that happen. Not in front of him. Not in front of anyone.

Sunghoon is standing in the doorway, arms crossed, his eyes soft but filled with that quiet concern I've gotten used to. He's been like this ever since I was shot. Always watching, always waiting.

"Jake," he says, his voice low but firm, "You're pushing yourself too hard."

"I'm fine," I repeat, though it feels like a lie now, even more than before. My voice is barely above a whisper, and I'm starting to feel the strain in my body again. But I can't stop. I don't know how. "I can still help."

Sunghoon steps forward, closing the distance between us. His hand gently rests on my waist, his touch warm through the fabric of my shirt. It's grounding, in a way, like he's trying to remind me that he's here, that I'm not alone in this. But I don't want to be a burden.

"Jake," he says again, his tone softer now, but still insistent, "You don't have to do this."

"I'll be fine," I say, but I can hear the doubt in my voice. I want to believe it, but it feels so far out of reach. Still, I don't let go of the table. I won't let myself fall back into bed again.

Sunghoon doesn't say anything else. Instead, he moves closer, his body a steady force against mine. He wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me toward him like I'm the most fragile thing in the world. Maybe I am.

I lean into him, letting him guide me as I take my first shaky step. The movement feels foreign, like I'm trying to force my body to remember how to move, how to be strong. But I can't do it without him. I'm not sure I can do anything without him right now.

We make our way outside, and the cold air hits me like a slap, biting into my skin, but I don't care. I'm out. I'm walking. I can still do this.

But then, before I can take another step, I hear the sound of children's laughter. I turn just in time to see them running toward us, their faces lit up with excitement. Their small, outstretched hands reach for me, and one by one, they swarm around me, their faces full of hope.

"Jake oppa! You're better, right? You're okay now?" one of the younger girls asks, her small hands grasping at my sleeve. Her eyes are wide with concern, though she's trying to hide it behind the excitement of seeing me standing again.

I blink, taken aback by the innocence in their voices. They don't know what's really going on-they don't understand how broken this world is. How fragile we all are. But they still believe. And that belief... it hits me harder than I expect.

"I'm fine," I say, my voice steadying as I smile, though it feels more like a mask. "I'm getting better, really. Just need a little more time."

They nod eagerly, their smiles wide and trusting. And for a moment, everything feels almost normal. Almost like it used to be. Before all of this.

Sunghoon is standing beside me, silent as always, but I can feel the weight of his gaze on me. He's watching the kids, his expression softening for a brief moment. I catch it, but I don't say anything. He's never been good at showing what he feels, but I know him well enough to understand. He's relieved. Maybe for me, maybe for us, for the first time in a while.

I glance at him, a weak smile tugging at my lips. "See? I'm fine."

Sunghoon doesn't respond right away. Just gave a sweet smile and ruffle my hair.

His strength is my strength.

And maybe, just maybe, I'll be okay. I want to believe that. I need to.