Chapter Text
Heeseung entered the foyer, the lights flickering on above his head. He squinted into the darkness as he shuffled into the house, and flipped on the light switches as he made his way into the kitchen. Dark, and an empty table. Nothing left, no leftovers from dinner, not even a glass of water for him.
Heeseung huffed.
Shrugging off his jacket, he stumbled into the living room. The room was dark, with a silly show running on the TV as it illuminated the otherwise pitch dark room. A lump lay on the sofa, and Heeseung peered over to find Jake’s closed eyes and curled up figure.
“…Don’t pretend to be asleep.”
Jake opened one eye and then let out a drawn out sigh. He sat up and leaned back on the sofa.
“It’s nearly one in the morning.” He observed, glancing at the clock.
“So?” Heeseung snapped. “Work was tough. My boss wants me to work with files for longer, same pay. Bullshit, if you ask me.”
“You don’t have to tell me. Just go on doing what you are. Coming home late and being all snappy.” Jake sighed, shifting in his seat.
“…What?”
“Oh, you know,” Jake rolled his eyes. “Spending more time at work than with his own family, coming home late, and then just snapping at everyone. The kids are half afraid of you when you’re all angry because you can’t control your anger.”
Heeseung’s mouth opened and closed again. He sighed, closing his eyes before opening them again.
“The dining table is empty. You didn’t think to leave any dinner for me?” Heeseung raised an eyebrow, and pressed his lips into a thin line.
Jake scoffed. “Well, you never eat it anyway. Why should I?” He demanded.
“I’m hungry.”
“Then make something yourself.”
“You come home earlier than me.”
“Doesn’t mean I gotta make all the meals. I’m not a house-husband. I have a job too.” Jake hissed.
“Oh yeah? Stupid news reporter, is it?” Heeseung said.
Jake’s eyes flashed with anger.
“And what are you, some file reviewer?” He asked.
Heeseung narrowed his eyes. “Office worker. A real job.”
“Real?! So mine isn’t?!”
“Yes! It isn’t!” Heeseung hissed furiously.
“Well if that’s a real job, you aren’t making any more money than me!” Jake stood up from the sofa, eyes glaring at Heeseung. “Obviously, we’re not rich, but can’t I expect something better than this?!” Jake waved his hand around.
“Like? Our house has two floors and a functioning heater and a solid roof.” Heeseung retorted. “It’s decent. What better do you want?!”
“The twins have to share a room, even in their late teens! We barely have any space! Why— Why can’t you do anything right for once?!” Jake shouted, his quiet voice turning sharp.
Heeseung’s heart was racing furiously, just as furious as he felt.
“Me?! It’s always ‘Jake this’, ‘Jake that’, but never you! It’s all on you, don’t you realize?! Why can’t you ever do anything right?!” Jake demanded. “All you do is work, work, work! And it’s never for me or the kids anymore! Work is everything to you, isn’t it?!”
“It is! Better than kids who disappear on their father and a husband who—”
Heeseung stopped himself.
“…Who, what? Finish the sentence, Heeseung.”
“Never mind.”
“Never mind, what?!” Jake pressed, eyes radiating hot fury. “A husband who you should have never married? I agree. I never should have married you.”
Heeseung’s chest heaved with breaths that burst out of his lungs.
“Fine.” He said.
“Fine.” Jake said.
Then he spun and stormed into the guest room that he had made his own, and slammed the door.
Heeseung watched Jake go, then collapsed on the sofa where Jake had been sitting before. It still smelled like Jake’s sweet, floral cologne he used even till now. Heeseung buried his face into his hands.
When did everything start falling apart like this? When did me and Jake start fighting so much over such insignificant things? Why is everything such a mess?