Your Highness | Jakehoon

끈적끈적한 아침

Forest Shelter – Morning

The first light crept slowly through the trees, brushing pale gold over the forest canopy. Dew shimmered softly on the leaves, and the faint crackle of dying embers from their fire whispered into the quiet.

Jake stirred first.

His eyes fluttered open, lashes heavy, hair tousled from sleep and kisses and the way he’d buried himself in Sunghoon’s arms the night before.

They were still tangled together, as if neither had moved all night. Jake was curled into Sunghoon’s chest, one of his legs thrown over Sunghoon’s thigh, their hands woven somewhere in the middle. Warm skin pressed to warm skin.

Jake didn’t move. He didn’t want to.

He breathed in — Sunghoon’s scent, faint traces of smoke, rain, and something that was just him. Familiar and steady. He tucked his face further into his chest and smiled.

Sunghoon murmured something sleepy, then tightened his arms around Jake like a reflex. He didn’t open his eyes yet. Just nuzzled the top of Jake’s head, their legs shifting against each other under the blanket.

Jake lifted his head a little to look at him.

His heart melted instantly.

Sunghoon looked so soft like this — his sharp features relaxed in sleep, lips parted slightly, one brow furrowed as if still dreaming of something he didn’t want to let go of.

Jake brushed the hair from his forehead gently and whispered, “Hey…”

Sunghoon stirred again. This time, his eyes opened slowly. Dark lashes lifting to reveal warm brown eyes, still sleepy, still soft.

When he saw Jake smiling down at him, a slow, sleepy grin pulled at his lips.

“Mmm… morning, pretty.”

Jake bit back a laugh and flushed, lightly swatting his shoulder. “Don’t call me that first thing in the morning…”

“But you are,” Sunghoon said, voice still deep with sleep. “Especially when you wake me up looking like that…”

Jake tried to look unimpressed, but the warmth in his chest gave him away. He leaned down and kissed Sunghoon’s cheek. Then again, a little closer to the corner of his mouth.

Sunghoon’s arms wrapped tighter around Jake, pulling him back down on top of him fully.

Jake laughed. “You’re clingy.”

“So are you,” Sunghoon mumbled, pressing a kiss to Jake’s collarbone. “You didn’t let go of me all night. Not that I minded.”

Jake hummed, running his fingers through Sunghoon’s hair. “I kept dreaming that if I let go… you’d disappear.”

Sunghoon’s grip softened. He looked up, brushing his nose against Jake’s cheek.

“I’m not going anywhere. Not without you.”

Jake swallowed thickly. “Promise?”

Sunghoon nodded. “On my life.”

Jake leaned down, and this time, the kiss was long and slow. Their lips moved together like they’d done it a thousand times — like they’d never need anything else ever again.

They kissed under the early light, wrapped in each other, stealing breath after breath. There was no hurry. No fear. Just the softness of morning, and the quiet rhythm of two hearts that had finally found home.

They broke apart only when Jake giggled — Sunghoon had started brushing kisses down his neck, lightly complaining about how cold Jake’s nose was.

“You’re like a little fox in winter,” Sunghoon teased.

“And you’re a lazy wolf who won’t let me up.”

Sunghoon grinned. “Maybe I won’t.”

They didn’t leave their little nest for a long time.

Jake sat between Sunghoon’s legs at one point, leaning back into his chest, while Sunghoon combed fingers through his messy hair, occasionally pressing a kiss to his temple. They shared some wild berries and leftover bread. Jake fed him with his fingers. Sunghoon bit playfully, making Jake gasp and smack him with a leaf.

It was the kind of morning that made it easy to forget the world.

But as the sun climbed higher, Jake caught a glance of his reflection in a puddle. He touched his face softly, eyes still lined with remnants of tears from days before — but something in him looked freer.

Sunghoon came up behind him, rested his chin on Jake’s shoulder.

“You look happy,” he said quietly.

Jake turned his head. “I am. Are you?”

Sunghoon smiled. “More than I’ve ever been.”

They kissed again. A promise sealed not with desperation — but devotion.

---

Meanwhile…

In the capital, a messenger burst into the King’s chambers, eyes wide.

“Your Majesty. They’ve been seen—deep forest trail. The commander is close.”

The King stood, a dark storm behind his gaze.

“Then make haste.”