Sacrifice || ENHYPEN FF

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 121

~yoi! its just me trying to make for all the time ive been gone~

-Start of Chapter 121-

After days of much-needed rest, the group gathers in the palace's war room to discuss their next move. The Heartstone still awaits in TXT's kingdom—and time isn't exactly on their side.

"The longer we delay, the harder it'll be." The eldest says, arms crossed. "We should leave by tomorrow."

Sunghoon nods. "Agreed. We've had enough time to recover."

Everyone hums in agreement, already shifting into planning mode.

Everyone but Jungwon.

Because all he can think about... is Isla.

The way she smiled at him under the stars.
The way her hand felt in his.
The way, for the first time in years, his heart didn't feel so heavy.

He tries to keep his face still, his tone even, but the thought of leaving her—of not seeing her for who knows how long—sits like a stone in his chest. He tells himself it's foolish. That he has responsibilities. A mission.

But still...

"Can't we go after two weeks?" he says suddenly.

The room falls silent.

Everyone turns to look at Jungwon.

Jay squints. "...What?"

Even Heeseung looks up, eyebrows slightly raised. Of all people, Jungwon is the last person who would postpone something important. He's always the one pushing them forward, reminding them of their duty. So why—

Then it clicks.

Jay smirks.

He leans over, nudging Jungwon's side. "Ohh" he hums under his breath.

Jungwon straightens. "What?" he asks, feigning ignorance.

Jay doesn't answer. Instead, he flicks his gaze to Heeseung, who also seems to realize what's going on.

The corner of Heeseung's lips twitches. "Nothing" he says smoothly. "Nothing at all." Then, after a brief pause, he leans back and shrugs. "Sure. We can go after two weeks."

Sunghoon furrows his brows. "What? Why are we suddenly—"

"Two weeks won't make much of a difference." Y/N cuts him off. Her tone is casual, but the way she glances at Jungwon is anything but.

"Wait, am I missing something?" Sunghoon looks around, still very much confused. "Why is Jungwon insisting on—he's the last person to—OW!"

Y/N, whose fingers were laced neatly with his under the table, casually pinches the back of his hand without even looking at him.

"Yah!" he hisses, turning to her.

She shoots him a tight-lipped smile. The kind that screams shut up before you die.
She knows exactly why Jungwon's acting weird—and more importantly, how painfully flustered he gets anytime someone mentions her.

Before Sunghoon can continue digging his own grave, Riki leans forward, grinning like he's been waiting for this.

"Oh, don't you know?" he says way too loudly, eyebrows wiggling. "Jungwon hyung's been courting that new gardener girl—what's her name? Isla? He's so whipped—"

SMACK!

Jake hits the back of Riki's head with his scroll.

"YAH!" Jake barks through a laugh, "Can't you see how red Jungwon's getting?! Keep your mouth shut for once!"