Ineffable 𓇢𓆸 || Jakehoon

🍂 Chapter 64 🍂

Sunghoon's POV

The evening has settled into a quiet, familiar rhythm. The old building we're holed up in feels even more like a forgotten refuge now, the dust on the floors thickening the air, but none of that matters. The moment the old man started pulling things out of his tattered bag, everything seemed to shift. His hands moved with practiced ease, pulling out bits of jewelry, trinkets, and colorful bracelets that looked like they belonged to a different world-one that's long gone.

At first, it's just the kids gathered around him, curious and eager to trade whatever little they have. They're excited about the small treasures in his bag-necklaces, rings, colorful fabric. It's something they can hold onto, something to make the world feel a little more normal. They barter for what they need, exchanging food or even small favors for a shiny piece of something that doesn't mean survival, but somehow makes it feel like they still have a piece of themselves.

Even Sunoo and Eunhee are drawn over, their eyes lighting up as they look over a necklace with a dangling silver pendant. Eunhee runs her fingers over the delicate chains, a soft smile playing at her lips as she admires the things that were once ordinary but now feel like little luxuries. Sunoo, ever the calm presence, chuckles quietly beside her, looking through the trinkets with mild interest. It's a strange thing to see-these small pieces of beauty still making their way through a broken world.

But it's the way Jake and Jungwon are sitting in the corner that catches my attention. I notice them first before I even register the things in the old man's bag. The two of them are sitting there, smiling, their faces more relaxed than I've seen in a while. The weight of everything-the war, the chaos-seems to melt away for just a moment as they share something light. I haven't seen Jake smile like that in ages. It's a rare thing, like catching sunlight on a cloudy day.

Jungwon, too, looks a little more at ease. He's watching the others with that quiet amusement of his, something unspoken in the way his eyes flick to Jake's face every now and then. The two of them, even in silence, communicate more than most people do with words.

I glance over at Jay, who's standing beside me, his arms folded, observing the scene. There's a quiet understanding between us, a mutual recognition of what it means to see them like this-smiling, even for a moment.

"Look at them," I say softly to Jay, nodding in the direction of Jungwon and Jake, who are sitting there together. "They're enjoying this."

Jay doesn't say anything right away, his eyes fixed on the two of them. Then he lets out a quiet sigh, his gaze flicking to me. "They don't get to smile much. They deserve it."

I nod, a feeling of protectiveness swelling in my chest. We've all been through hell, but they've taken on more than their share. Jake, especially, has been carrying the weight of everything-trying to stay strong, even when he's falling apart. Jungwon too. They're both still recovering, and seeing them like this, laughing over something as simple as a trinket, feels like a small victory.

A thought crosses my mind, and I glance at Jay. "Why don't we buy something for them? Something small. It'll make them feel... good. You know?"

Jay looks at me, his brow furrowing for a second, and then a slow smile spreads across his face. "Yeah. That's a good idea."

We both move toward the old man. I pick out a bracelet that catches my eye, a simple woven thing with tiny beads threaded through it. It's nothing fancy, but it feels right-something that suits the moment. Jay grabs a similar one, a bit more colorful than mine, and we both make our way back toward Jake and Jungwon.

Jay walks over to Jungwon first, holding the bracelet out to him. Jungwon looks up, a little surprised at first, then his face softens into that quiet, familiar smile that always makes him look like he's about to laugh. "For me?" he says, reaching out to take it.

Jay nods, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Yeah. Just a little something."

"Thanks Jay hyung! You are the best" I watch as Jungwon slips the bracelet onto his wrist. It's a small gesture, but there's something about it that feels significant-something simple that connects us in a way that words never could. Jungwon gives a small nod of appreciation, his smile brightening, and for a second, I think everything's going to be okay.

I turn my attention back to Jake. He's still sitting there, his eyes soft as he watches Jungwon's reaction, a smile playing at his lips too. I catch his gaze, and even from here, I can see the weight behind his eyes, the exhaustion, the pain. But there's also something else-something lighter, like he's not so alone in this after all.

I feel that same sense of protectiveness for him, the way I want to shield him from all of this. I want to see him smile like this more often. And maybe, just maybe, I can give him a little piece of that.

I slip the bracelet I've bought for him from my pocket, carefully tucking it into my palm, waiting for the right moment. There's no rush. I know exactly how I want to give it to him. Not now, not when everything feels so normal and light. I'll wait for the perfect time, the right moment when we're alone, when the world around us doesn't seem so dark.

And so I hold the bracelet tight in my hand, my fingers brushing over the beads, knowing that soon, when it's just the two of us, I'll give it to him. Maybe it won't change everything, but for a moment, I hope it will remind him that he's not alone.

That we-all of us-are still here.