raspberries and mocha | heejake ✔

58

The quiet hum of Jake's car filled the air as he drove them back to Heeseung's place. The excitement of their announcement to their friend group had settled, but the looming presence of one person they hadn't told yet weighed heavy on both of their minds.

Riki.

The kid was a force of nature. His reactions were unpredictable, dramatic, and—most importantly—impossible to manage without careful planning. Jake wasn't entirely sure how to approach this, and from the way Heeseung was nervously chewing the inside of his cheek, he knew Heeseung didn't either.

"So..." Jake finally broke the silence as he parked outside Heeseung's apartment building. "Riki's going to kill us."

Heeseung sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Oh, absolutely. I'm preparing my will as we speak."

Jake laughed half-heartedly, but the reality of the situation settled between them. Riki was fiercely protective of both of them, but his loyalty ran especially deep for Heeseung. When things had gone south between them before, Riki had barely held back from showing Jake exactly how he felt about the breakup. And now? Well, this might require next-level damage control.

"We can't just...tell him outright," Jake said, shutting off the engine and leaning back in his seat.

"Yeah, no shit," Heeseung muttered, staring at the dashboard like it held the answer. "He's gonna feel so betrayed if we don't phrase it right. Especially if he finds out everyone else already knows."

Jake groaned, covering his face with his hands. "This is like defusing a bomb. One wrong word, and he'll explode."

Heeseung chuckled despite himself. "You're not wrong. We need a strategy. A plan."

Jake lowered his hands and turned to Heeseung with a deadpan look. "Okay, Mr. Genius, what's the plan?"

Heeseung bit his lip, his eyes narrowing as he thought. "First of all, we have to ease him into it. Like...remind him that he's important to us no matter what. That this doesn't change anything between us and him."

"Yeah, sure," Jake said, nodding slowly. "But we also have to be prepared for him to roast the absolute hell out of me. Because he will."

"Oh, without a doubt," Heeseung said with a grin. "But I'll defend you. Maybe."

"Gee, thanks." Jake rolled his eyes but smiled despite himself.

They both fell into silence again, the gravity of the task ahead of them sinking in.

"Do you think...we should offer him something?" Heeseung asked after a moment, his tone hesitant.

Jake frowned. "Like what? A bribe?"

"No, not a bribe!" Heeseung shot him a look. "More like...a way to reassure him. Something symbolic. Like... I don't know..."

Jake tilted his head, smirking. "You sound like you're about to propose to me just to win him over."

Heeseung froze for a moment, then laughed nervously. "I mean...If that's what it takes..."

Jake's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"

Heeseung shrugged, his voice light but carrying an undertone of seriousness. "I'm just saying, Riki's always said he doesn't want to see us getting back together unless we're in it for the long haul. Maybe we could..."

Jake's jaw dropped. "Are you actually suggesting we...?"

"Not like right now!" Heeseung quickly clarified, waving his hands. "But maybe...hint? Let him know we're serious. That this isn't just us messing around again."