Ineffable 𓇢𓆸 || Jakehoon

🍂 Chapter 70 🍂

Sunghoon's POV

The night feels different in the South Korean soldiers' camp. It's quieter, a little less tense, but still, I can feel the weight of everything pressing down on me-the war, the constant running, the uncertainty of what comes next. But for tonight, we're safe. We've made it here, at least for a little while, and we've got a small window of peace.

The others are scattered around the camp, finishing their meals, their voices blending with the crackle of the fire. Niki, of course, is doing his usual thing. Even now, he's standing on a small rock, holding his bowl like some kind of award, and launching into one of his ridiculous speeches. He's always had this knack for making us laugh in the worst of times, though tonight, Jay cuts him off pretty quickly.

"Stop with your nonsense, Niki. Just eat, will you?" Jay calls out, his voice sharp but laced with affection.

Niki just grins like he's been given a challenge. "I'm just trying to make the night more interesting! Come on, Jake hyung, a birthday speech? You've got to give me something for effort."

Jake, sitting just a little to the side, smiles softly at Niki, but I can see the exhaustion in his eyes. It's his day-his birthday-but in this world, there's not much space for celebrating. I know he appreciates Niki's attempt at making it special, but I also know he's tired of all the running, the uncertainty.

I watch them for a moment, amused by the dynamic between them. Then, as the conversation quiets down and the others settle in, I look at Jake. His gaze meets mine briefly, and I catch the soft smile he gives me before turning away to listen to Niki's ongoing nonsense.

"Let's make today a memory," I say, my voice low but firm. It's a small gesture, but it's the only thing I can think of to make the day stand out, to give us a moment to breathe.

I reach into my bag and pull out the camera I've been carrying for a while now-one of those old models with film, a rare thing these days. I've kept it hidden, but tonight felt right. Tonight felt like we needed something to hold onto-something tangible to remind us that we're still here, still surviving.

The others look up as I set the camera up, and I gesture for them to gather around. We take a few shots-some of us laughing, some of us just standing there, not quite knowing how to be normal in such an abnormal world. I make sure to get one with Jake in the middle, his soft smile barely visible but genuine all the same.

When the others drift off to sleep, one by one, I linger by the fire with Jake. It's quiet now, the camp settling into the familiar, peaceful stillness of night. Jake's sitting beside me, his knees drawn up to his chest, his fingers absentmindedly toying with the bouquet of flowers I gave him earlier. It's a small gesture, but it means something. It means more than any of us can say.

I glance over at him, my heart giving a small tug when I see how tired he looks. The dirt on his skin, the disheveled cardigan he's wearing-it doesn't matter. In this moment, he's still beautiful. I want to capture that.

"Do you remember when we used to talk about flowers just for fun?" I ask softly, breaking the silence.

Jake nods slowly, his eyes distant for a moment. "Yeah," he murmurs. "It feels like a lifetime ago."

I take a deep breath, then come up with an idea. It's his day, after all, and he deserves this-something for himself, something that's his. Something I can keep.

I turn to him, the camera in my hands, and I'm already smiling before I speak. "It's your day, Jake. Even if I don't have a single picture of you, I want to take one. Just the two of us."

Jake looks at me, his expression a little surprised. I can tell he's a bit shy, but he nods, almost hesitantly. I can't help but smile at the way his cheeks pinken slightly, as if the idea of a photo with just me feels like something more than just a picture.

I lift the camera, adjusting the focus, and I catch Jake's soft smile, the quiet vulnerability in his eyes. He's beautiful like this, even with the dirt on his face, the weariness of the journey etched into his features. There's something about him-something I want to remember, something I want to keep with me forever.

Before I snap the photo, Jake pauses and then gently pulls the bouquet of flowers closer, holding them in front of him as if to add something extra to the moment. I feel a warmth spread through me at the gesture, the way he's making this his own, taking control of this small moment.

I click the shutter.

The flash is bright in the dark of the night, but it feels like the world stops for just a second. The noise of the camp fades, and all I see is Jake-his face lit by the soft glow of the fire, the flowers in his hand, the cardigan that's a little too big for him, the way he's holding onto this fleeting moment like it might be the last thing we have left.

And for that brief second, it is enough.

The camera clicks again as I look at the photo in my hands, and I smile to myself. It's a perfect shot, even if it's imperfect.

Jake tilts his head to one side, his voice soft but real. "Thanks, Sunghoon. For the picture... and for today."

I look at him, the warmth in my chest spreading wider. "You don't have to thank me. It's your day, Jake. I'm just glad we're together."

And even though we both know that tomorrow could bring more danger, more running, more uncertainty, I can't help but hold on to this-this quiet moment, the two of us, the memories we're making while we still can.

The camera's still in my hand, but the only picture I really want is the one I'll carry in my heart forever.

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So here it is, and the story is going to end soon.... Let's see what happening next! Thank you so much for the likes and all hope you all enjoying this. Thank you so much everyone 💐❤️