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“Dear, if you feel dizzy or anything, take a break immediately, okay?” Heeseung put his hand on Jaeyun’s back, and felt the softness of the fabric while caressing. “If you need something, call your manager or me, alright?” he said with a sweet tone as his doe-eyes fixed on his lover while hopingly, the younger one would listen to him.
His lover’s lips and skin were pale, as if a soul eater sucked his soul. A swollen face, red eyes, and moving powerlessly, indicating he was truly feeling unwell that early morning—strange since he would express such high spirits with good mornings to the staff, or anyone in the building.
The younger’s lips formed a weak smile and nodded in response. Seeing his lover in such a fragile state saddens Heeseung, his lips forming into a frown and having an urge to get back home, to take care of Jaeyun—just the two of them, taking a break but Jaeyun, a passionate person, probably wouldn’t stop from practicing.
For Jaeyun, him having a sickness was unusual, as it was such a rare occurrence. Furthermore, the timing couldn't have been worse. They had to practice new choreographies, handle rapidly approaching schedules, and it really doesn't help that he has no idea when his sickness would end.
He scooted closer to Heeseung, resting his head on his lover’s shoulder with their arms locked together, feeling at ease when their bodies touched together. Jaeyun felt like he was free from any worries. He snuggled his face onto his neck, inhaling the perfume of his lover and he was more comfortable than ever as the latter supported the younger’s shoulders while walking together to the dance room.
Behind them, a cameraman filmed them the whole time and followed them into the room—a documentary between Ace (Lee Heeseung) and Jake (Shim Jaeyun)’s collaboration.
Filming did not make them uncomfortable since they were already used to it, even with how blatant they were in displaying their love to each other. The public already knows of their relationship, and by a stroke of luck, they got nothing but endless cheers and support.
Collaborating together also wasn’t new to them since they were exposed to it a lot during their years as an idol, coming from different groups under the same label. However, it is their first time collaborating together as Ace and Jake and that was why Jaeyun had to try harder—even though he was sick, he still needed to try harder.
Inside the dance room, heavy breathing echoed throughout. Every single one of them did well despite the hard choreography, and for a small reward, the dance instructor and the choreographer decided to give them a break after all those practices. They walked to the side of the room, drinking from their water bottles as they wiped off their sweat, with their chests breathing in and out heavily.
Meanwhile, the cameraman focused on the two lovers, who were stuck in their own world.
Heeseung put his hand on his lover’s waist and faced him, “You okay? Do you want to drink your medicine?” During their practices, the latter would often glance at Jaeyun, worrying he might faint at any time or that something would happen to him.
Jaeyun noticed how Heeseung was more worrisome and affectionate than usual, which he found adorable and funny at the same time. He knew his lover really tried his best to take care of him: often asking him if he’s doing okay, making sure he drinks his medicine, and staying by his side–everything, it made Jaeyun’s heart warm.
However, the younger felt like he was being a burden to Heeseung especially when he noticed how his lover kept looking at him while practicing as if he was being distracted. Instead of focusing on the choreography, Heeseung was somehow focusing on him–it weighed him down causing himself to overthink.
Jaeyun shook his head, “I'm fine, it’s just… tiring.” He sat down on the ground, and behind the younger’s mask, he could only feel the heat from his own breaths, as if he was breathing fire. He held Heeseung’s hand, holding it for a while. He barely even broke a sweat.
The latter put his hand on Jaeyun’s head, patting it gently, “Just take a rest for a while, hm?”
“Dear, can we talk?” his lover asked in a raspy voice. He could barely talk because of how tight his throat was—he hated it. He couldn’t enjoy his food without having a problem swallowing so sometimes, Heeseung would instead cook porridge for him. When the younger first realized this, he was hesitant. Jaeyun disliked porridge—it tasted bland,the lack of ingredients, no sweetness, no saltiness and overall, just plain. But when he took a spoonful of Heeseung’s porridge, it tasted delicious. It had everything he wanted to taste in a porridge, the sweetness, the saltiness, and the seasoned chicken.
The latter tilted his head a bit in confusion, afraid something had happened to Jaeyun. “Sure, dear.”
Questions began to fill Heeseung’s mind. Does he need medicine? Does he need to go to the hospital? Should we go home to take a rest? Was he actually lying that he was okay? Oh no, that could be.
Jaeyun looked at the cameraman, gesturing that he shouldn’t follow them for privacy and the guy nodded and decided to stop recording. He held his lover’s hand, exiting the practice room and went to an empty place, where no footsteps or voices could be heard.
The younger shifted his whole body, facing his lover. “Heeseung, I know that you’re worried about me but please, don’t forget yourself. I don't want to be a burden to you.”
Heeseung’s lips formed a straight line, his lover’s words went straight through his mind to heart. Why would Jaeyun think he’s a burden when I was the one who was willing to do everything for him? No, he shouldn’t feel burdened.
“Jaeyun, I did all those because I wanted to. You shouldn’t feel like all I did was a burden to me, dear. You will never be. And yes, I shouldn’t forget myself too, but when it comes to you, I would always put you first,” Heeseung leaned and pressed his lips on Jaeyun’s forehead.
Jaeyun’s heart melted and felt like he was about to tear up from his lover’s words. It touched him way deeper than he thought. Those words made him forget about his worries and made him fall in love with Heeseung more, a seemingly impossible feat.
It was nice to know there was someone who was willing to do everything for you to feel okay.
He leaned closer and rested his head on Heeseung’s chest, feeling his lover’s heart pounding as the latter wrapped his arms around the younger’s waist. Jaeyun closed his eyes and Heeseung’s warmth made him feel at home—he felt comfortable and cozy around him.
They stayed there for a while, just the two of them, stuck in their own world.
Every break, Heeseung never failed to ask if he was still feeling okay, wrapping his arm around his lover’s waist and making sure Jaeyun could still manage because if not, they would immediately stop practicing. That was how much he cared for him, willing to do everything just for his lover to be okay.
It really just goes to show how a person’s love could shine through the way they care for you, and for Jaeyun, Heeseung is more than enough.
At that moment, the cameraman knew how the pair’s love was something pure and breathtaking, and to do it justice, he made sure he was capturing it perfectly. As a cameraman, he knew he had the duty to showcase how strong this love is—not only between Ace and Jake, but between Lee Heeseung and Shim Jaeyun—and the world needed to see it through their documentary. This was Ace and Jake in their rawest forms, binded by a love unexplainable through words.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the documentary suddenly turns into a story of our relationship–” as Heeseung said this, all the staff and the director looked at him, and he bowed his head in shame. “—I’m just kidding,” with his lips pressed together and fingers fidgeting. I mean, in the middle of seriousness, the latter just spoke without thinking.
“That…think we can do that,”
“I’m not sure either but let’s see,”