The Darkness cursed ones

-Chapter 17-

Heesan trudges into his room, his body feeling heavier with each step. Cleaning up Jays room was super exhausting and all he wants now is to collapse into his bed and forget about everything else.
He kicks off his shoes, then falls back onto the mattress with a groan, his body sinking into the familiar comfort.
For a moment, he just lies there, eyes closed, letting the quiet of the room settle around him. It's not much, but it is enough. He'd deal with everything else later.
Right now, he just needs a few minutes to rest.

After a while Heesan hears a soft click from the door.
Nikis voice followed, quite and a little hesitant.
"Heesan?"
Heesan barely opens his eyes, already knowing who it is. Niki always spoke like that-soft and careful, as if he didn't want to interrupt the quiet.

Niki appears in his line of sight, standing in the doorway, his expression a mix of concern and fondness. His clothes are rumpled, his hair a bit messy from the day's activities, but his presence feels like a comfort. He shuffles over to the bed, his feet dragging lightly on the floor.

"Are you okay?"
Niki asks, sitting on the edge of the bed, his hand hovering for a second before he gently brushes Heesan's arm. There is a tenderness in the way he moves, as if every gesture is meant to be soothing.
Heesan sighs and gives a small, tired smile, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on him.
"Just... exhausted."
Niki nods, his gaze softening. Without another word, he scoots closer, leaning down to rest his head against Heesan's chest, wrapping his arms around him like he was trying to hold the weight of the world off Heesan's shoulders.
"Then you can rest,"
Niki murmurs, his voice light and warm.
"I'm here."

Heesan closes his eyes again, a small, quiet chuckle escaping him.
"You always know how to make me feel better."
Niki doesn't respond with words-just tightening his grip a little, and Heesan could feel the calm wash over him. It is simple, but it is exactly what he needs.
Niki snuggles closer to Heesan his head buried in Heesans chest.
"You act like a five year old, you know that?"
Heesan asks teasing.
"Excuse me? I am not a five year old...I just like to be near you. That's everything."
Niki says pouting slightly.
Heesan chuckles warm.

Heesan stayed still for a while, lost in his own thoughts.
"Heesan? Are you really okay?"
Niki asks concerned, knowing that normally Heesan would never think so much to actually drown in his thoughts like right now.
Atleast Niki never saw it.
Nobody did.
"Yeah...just a bit tired, as I said."
Heesan answers.
"Tired of what exactly, Heesan?"
Niki asks whispering.
"Of cleaning Jays room? I mean his room was such a mess, even though everyone helped it still was pretty exhausting"
Heesan chuckles.
Niki nods.
"But I can feel that there is something else going on in your head"
Niki insists, putting a finger on Heesans forehead.
"I'm always carrying a lot. That's what I do. I help everyone else, you know? I make sure everyone's okay. But..."
He hesitates, searching for the right words.
"I don't think anyone really notices when I'm the one who needs help."
Niki sits up facing Heesan fully, his eyes wide with concern.
"You're completely right..."
He mumbles.
"Hey! Not you're fault, got it!?"
Heesan immediately insists.
Niki nods with a warm smile.
"You did it again with that you realized that?"
He asks.
Heesan shakes his head.
"I give, but... no one ever really asks if I'm okay. I guess I don't want to bother anyone with my problems, but sometimes... I just feel like I'm carrying everything on my own."
He mumbles.
Niki pulls Heesan into a tight hug.
"Sorry...I should realize that..."
Heesan shakes his head again.
"No, it's alright Niki...you got your problems."
Niki chuckles.
"You just said exactly that...you don't want to bother people with your problems...but you care so much about other peoples problems. Its sort of a double standard, dont you think?"
Heesan laughs bitter.
"You're right..."
Nikis eyes fill with concern again at the bitter laugh.
"Heesan...it's affecting you a lot, right? You just don't want to admit it..."
Heesan stays silent.
Niki adds
"You don't have to carry everything alone, Heesean. I... I care about you. You matter to me, too."
Heesan finally answers
"I know you care, Niki. But I don't want to be the one who always needs something. I don't want to be a burden."

Niki gently cups Heesans face, turning it towards him so they're eye to eye
"Heesan, you're not a burden. You're never a burden to me. If you need someone to lean on, I'm right here. You don't have to pretend you've got everything together all the time. You can let me be there for you, too."
Heesans voice is wavering slightly, his eyes locking on Niki
"But...what if-"
Niki cuts Heesan of
"No what if's! You're my sweet, caring boyfriend and I dont want my sweet, caring boyfriend to feel like he needs to get through everything alone!"
He says firm.
Heesan smiles, a warm genuine smile.
"Thank you Niki..."
"So...do you have any worries Heesan?"
Niki asks careful.
Heesan nods.
"You know...I've been thinking about Sun. If Jace manipulated Suns mind then he probably also gives no damn about Suns well being...like giving him food or something to drink."
He explains.
Niki nods understanding what Heesan means.
"But...Jace did love Sun. Do you really think there is nothing left from this love?"
Heesan shrugs.
"Maybe this love never was real. Or maybe...someone or something controls Jace"
Niki sighs.
"I am getting tired..."
Heesan chuckles, pulling Niki down onto the bed with him.
He wraps his arms around Niki, mumbling in a soothing voice
"Rest, sweetie Niki"
Niki chuckles happy.
"I love cuddling with you...I could do this my whole life until I die in your arms..."
Heesan let's out a little 'Aww' at Nikis words, finding it both cute and amusing.
"You're like a cat you know...You love cuddling and affection, but you also can deal pretty hurtful physical wounds"
"A cat? I like that. I like cats."
Niki mumbles almost asleep already.

Niki pulls himself up once more, to press a gentle little kiss to Heesans lips.
Heesan chuckles warm again, tightening his grip on Niki.
Nikis head falls back into Heesans chest.

As Niki falls asleep and his breathing gets even, Heesan let's out a sleepy sigh.
"Thank you Niki..."
He mumbles, fidgeting with Nikis hair soothing.

Heyo :3
Chapter 17, Heesans focused chapter!
I focused a bit on Heesans mindset that he needs to be the strong one, and of course...Niki and Heesans sweet cuddly relationship xD
See you in the next chapter <3