Chapter Text
"Oh P'Jes- you are here-" Joong said after noticing his cousin's presence.
He was actually journaling, but apparently, he fell asleep.
Jes stepped into the room to check on his Nong but the journal caught his attention. It was a poem titled the ‘haze of memories.’
All the love I felt once
Turned into disgust
And it fades away
Like a broken trust
All the memories we shared
Burst in dust
Leaving my heart
In a haze of unjust
What was a chapter for you
Seemed to be a book for me
But in your story
I was just a fleeting memory
And memories are crumbling
Like dried flowers leaves
As time drifts by
The heart softly grieves.
The elder smiled as he got closer. He was still holding his cousin's notebook.
"It's beautiful." He spoke.
"You read it?" the younger questioned, the cousin nodded what made Chen smile awkwardly.
Jes sat on Joong's desk, staring at the youngest in silence while the other looked away, not able to maintain the eye contact.
"Come here" the older said asking Chen to rest on his tights.
The younger obeyed. He always feels comfy with his Phi's. They are being his safe zone as they bring him comfort.
Jes started playing with his hair in total silence. A lovely one.
"The poem, wanna talk about it?" he asked.
The boy sighted not knowing what to say.
"Well..." he replied after remaining silent for few seconds.
"It's about that guy, you know-" Joong added in a lowered voice.
The older nodded giving him the time he needs. Chen let out a long heavy sight as he got overwhelmed by too many unidentified feelings.
"I actually couldn't help but stalk him on Spotify again." He continued. Raising his head to face Phi.
"P'Jes..." Joong whispered, his eyes glistening with tears.
"He's in a relationship with that one girl-" The young boy burst in tears as soon as he finished his sentence.
The young man took him in a tight hug trying to comfort him the best he could.
He knows how much his beloved loved that guy. And how many efforts he put.
He knows about that girl and how much of a hoe she is as well.
Jes kept whispering comforting words 'till he calmed down smh.
"I feel pathetic" he whispered.
"Why would you?"
"I thought I was healing; I thought I moved on-"
"But I couldn't help feeling empty when I saw their matching pfps and the playlist he made for her."
Joong sniffled, wiping his tears. "I know I shouldn't have looked at his Spotify."
Jes smirked knowingly. "You stalk him often?"
Joong hesitated, picking at the edge of his sleeve. "I don't mean to... it just happens."
"Why does it have to be her?" He yapped letting things out of his chest.
The young man not knowing what to say took him in another hug.
Joong reminds him of Bible and how hopeless he was when he fell head over heels for that one old mate of his. They are so alike.
"Buddy, listen to me." Jes finally spoke.
"I know you are hurt; we all know that you loved him more than you loved yourself. I know how hard is to let go of the person you love the most." He confronted him.
"But you are doing a great job already"
"Going thru this is a part of moving on. And yes, you are healing. You've got us right by your side, it's totally okay to have some ups and downs. That's how life works after all."
"Joong trust me you are such a wonderful person with a pure soul. Let them mfs be, it's their loss. You still got both me and Bible, and that friend of yours as well. Keep in mind that you are loved by many, the world does not revolve around that manwhore." Jes continued.
The teenager overwhelmed by his cousin's warm words couldn't help but smile gladly as tears won't stop falling off.
"Thank you so much Phi, I didn't know I needed this." He said making the Jes rubbing his hair with a slight smile.
Jes let out a dramatic sigh, shaking his head. "My dear Nong, your Spotify habits are starting to worry me. Next thing I know, you'll be analyzing his playlists for hidden meanings."
Joong laughed softly, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Too late. Been there done that."
Jes gasped, placing a hand over his heart. "Truly a lost cause!"
Their banter lightened the mood, and for a brief moment, Joong forgot the weight on his chest.
"I might not be as clever as Bible when it comes to reading minds, but I'd gladly listen to you luv. You are my Nong and I love you so much." Jes told him tryna express himself.
"I love you even more Phi." Joong replied.
"Stop crying already, that gummy smile of yours suits you better."
The young boy let out a slight smile which made Jes smile as well.
"Let's grab something to eat." He suggested.
"It's almost 7pm now, you didn't eat since lunch, c'mon." he continued.
Chen nodded following his Phi downstairs.
Jes and Joong made their way downstairs, their steps slow and steady as Joong wiped away the last of his tears. Jes led him to the kitchen, where he rummaged through the cabinets.
"What do you feel like eating? Instant noodles? Sandwiches? Or should I attempt something fancy?" Jes teased, opening the fridge.
Joong chuckled softly, leaning against the counter. "You and fancy don't go together, Phi. Let's just stick with something easy."
"Watch your mouth, kid. I make a killer omelet." Jes said jokingly
The younger laughed for the first time that evening, and Jes grinned, pleased to see him lighten up. A few minutes later, they settled on the couch with their snacks, scrolling through Twitter as they ate. Jes let out an exaggerated gasp, nudging Joong with his elbow.
"Look! 'The Heart Killers' is trending again. Everyone's losing it over Fadel. You can't deny it, Nong- he's insanely attractive."
Joong raised an eyebrow, amused by how invested Jes seemed. "You're obsessed, Phi. I don't think I've seen you fangirling this much since 'The Eclipse.'"
"Don't compare them! Fadel's in a league of his own. Did you see his scene from last week? The way he-"
Joong shook his head, cutting him off. "The way he couldn't keep his hands to himself? Yes, I did."
"Bingo that's what i was talking about."
"You sound like one of those thirsty fans in the replies."
"And proud of it!" Jes retorted, his voice playful.
Their banter continued, each teasing the other relentlessly as they scrolled through memes and clips from the series. The warmth of the moment made Joong's chest feel a little lighter, the ache of his earlier tears momentarily pushed aside.
As they laughed over a particularly chaotic edit of Fadel's scenes, the sound of the front door opening caught their attention.
“Bible's home," Jes said, standing to greet his younger cousin which happened to be the love of his life as well. Joong followed him into the entryway, where Bible was kicking off his shoes, looking tired but happy to see them.
"Back so soon, ml?" Jes teased, earning a glare from Bible.
"You call this soon? It's almost 8," Bible replied, setting his bag down before giving Jes a light punch on the shoulder, then a quick kiss on the mouth. He turned to Joong with a softer smile. "And how's our youngest doing?"
Joong shrugged, trying not to show how wrecked he'd been earlier. "Same old."
Bible ruffled his hair affectionately. "I'll take that as 'not great but surviving.' Let's eat. I'm starving."
The three of them gathered in the dining room, Jes insisting they make something a bit more substantial since Bible hadn't eaten yet. They worked together, Jes mostly delegating tasks while Bible did the actual cooking, and Joong hovered around, setting the table and laughing at their bickering.
By the time they sat down to eat, the house was filled with the comforting smell of stir-fry and the sound of their chatter. Jes and Bible kept the mood light, cracking jokes and recounting stories from work, while Joong chimed in occasionally. It was one of those evenings that felt safe and whole, the kind that Joong often clung to when his mind spiraled into darker places.
After dinner, they lingered at the table, reluctant to end the night. Jes poured himself a cup of tea, while Bible scrolled through his phone, showing Joong random posts that made them both laugh. Eventually, they decided to call it a night.
"Sleep well, Nong," Bible said, pulling Joong into a hug.
"Goodnight, Hia" Joong replied, his voice soft.
Jes gave him a quick pat on the back. "Remember, no more sad Spotify stalking."
Joong smiled weakly. "I'll try."
As he climbed the stairs to his room, the lightness of the evening began to dissipate. The silence of his space greeted him like an old friend, amplifying the thoughts he'd tried so hard to avoid. He changed into his pajamas and slid under the covers, but sleep didn't come.
Instead, his mind wandered back to Dunk. To the way he smiled, the sound of his laugh, the moments they'd shared. He stared at the ceiling, his chest tightening as memories began to resurface-uninvited, but unstoppable.
The sheets felt cool against his skin, but the heaty of memories burned vividly his chest.
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