the way I loved you! - heejake

the pause before tomorrow!!

The most awaited day for Niki had finally arrived - the last day of camp. As much as it drained his energy, he couldn't deny he had actually enjoyed it. The chaos, the bonding, the endless drills - all of it.

He and Jake were already seated for breakfast when they spotted Heeseung approaching with his tray.

"Oh, hyung! Join us," Niki called out cheerfully.

Heeseung gave a small smile and took the seat next to them.

With soft morning chatter, shared yawns, and clinking cutlery, the final morning at camp wrapped up in a calm, cozy way. There was a strange warmth in the air - like the kind that comes before a goodbye.

As the final drills came to an end, the coach gathered everyone with a whistle. "Let's wrap this camp up with a friendly match-split into two teams!"

The group buzzed with excitement as they sorted themselves out. Jake blinked in surprise when he ended up on the same team as Heeseung. Maybe it was coincidence. Maybe not. Either way, his heart did a quiet little somersault.

The game began-nothing too serious, just lighthearted play. But somehow, when Jake passed the ball to Heeseung and Heeseung passed it right back without missing a beat, it felt... effortless. Like they were in sync.

They weren't showy, but they had rhythm. Trust. A glance here, a small nod there-Jake found himself smiling in between passes, the kind that came from genuine joy. Heeseung even shot him a small grin after a decent assist and reached out to give him a soft high-five.

"You're not bad," Heeseung said, half teasing, half sincere.

Jake chuckled, trying to play it cool, but his heart was doing little cartwheels. "Thanks, hyung. You're easy to team up with."

"Right back at you," Heeseung replied, just as softly.

And in that moment-amid the bouncing ball, sneakers on court, and fading afternoon sun-Jake felt something settle in his chest. Warmth. Quiet, steady warmth.

As evening settled in, the energy of the camp shifted-softened into something warm and golden. Laughter echoed, goodbyes were exchanged, and for a moment, everything felt whole. This camp had become more than just drills and practice-it had built a team, a bond, something no one could easily break. And that was what they truly needed.

For Heeseung, it was more than a break from routine-it was healing. A slow patching up of the small, invisible cuts he carried. And though not everything had gone how he hoped, he felt... content. Grateful, even.

Jake, on the other hand, found joy in the quiet growth of something special. A stronger bond, a friendship that felt more genuine than he had dared to imagine. Maybe it wasn't everything his heart secretly wanted, but it was something-and that meant a lot.

With stories to tell, aching limbs from practice, and eyes shining with memories, they all gathered one last time for a candid photo. Smiles wide, hearts full. A snapshot of youth, frozen in time-a memory that would never fade.

On the way back home, just outside the camp gates, Niki gave his hyungs a tight hug.
"See you tomorrow at the university!" he said with a bright smile before heading off.

Jake turned to Heeseung, ready to say goodbye, but before he could speak, Heeseung beat him to it.
"You're taking Bus 324, right? I'm on that one too."

Jake's heart did a quiet little thump. He nodded, trying to act cool but barely hiding the happiness bubbling inside him.

The two of them walked toward the bus stop, the air light and the weather playing along with their mood-calm, breezy, gentle. They settled down in their seats as the bus rumbled to life.

"Camp was so fun," Jake said, glancing out the window with a small smile.

Heeseung nodded. "I really loved it. It was... a break from the hurts I carry, you know?" He turned to Jake with a gentle sincerity. "And thank you-for the reality check. We should hang out more often. We kinda have a similar vibe."

Jake felt like he was melting right there, but managed a shy nod. "Yeah... okay, hyung. And... no thank yous between friends, y'know?"

Heeseung smiled, soft and genuine, the kind that warmed Jake all the way to his fingertips.

Jake and Heeseung said their goodbyes, and Jake walked toward his dorm with a soft smile tugging at his lips.

He felt warm. Not just from the sunset hitting his skin, but from something deeper. Heeseung's words still lingered in his ears.

"We can hang out more often. We kinda have a similar vibe."

That one sentence did more damage to his heart than three years of crushes combined.

"Okay. Chill," he whispered to himself as he reached his dorm. "It's just friendship. Calm down. You're not in a drama."

He pushed the door open, expecting silence. But instead-

"Jakeyyy!" came a familiar voice.

Jake blinked. "Jungwon?! I thought you were still at your grandma's place?"

Jungwon, cozy in pajamas, was sitting cross-legged on the bed with a half-eaten bag of chips. "Surprise! I came back a day early. I missed my roommate. And our rice cooker."

Jake laughed, dropping his bag with a sigh. "You missed the rice cooker more."

"Valid," Jungwon shrugged. "So tell me everything. How was camp? How was the food? Did Niki survive without crying for chicken nuggets?"

Jake chuckled. "It was good. Tiring but really... refreshing, you know? We played a lot. And Niki didn't cry, he just emotionally blackmailed the coach."

Jungwon grinned. "Classic Niki."

Jake lay back on his bed, arm thrown over his face.

"Also," he added casually, "I spent some time with Heeseung-hyung."

"Oh?" Jungwon raised an eyebrow, catching the shift in Jake's tone.

Jake's voice softened. "He's... really nice. We talked a lot. About real stuff. I didn't expect to... connect like that."

Jungwon stayed quiet for a second before smiling knowingly. "Sounds like someone caught feelings harder than expected."

Jake groaned. "Don't start."

"I'm just saying. You look like someone who's floating."

Jake pulled the blanket over his head. "I am floating. But it's dangerous. What if it's just... in my head?"

Jungwon got up, tossed a water bottle onto Jake's stomach, and said, "Then you float carefully. That's all."

Jake peeked from under the blanket, smiling.

With that, Jake drifted into dreamland - heart light, a smile still lingering on his lips.
Unaware of what the future held for him.
Unknown.
Maybe beautiful...
Or maybe something entirely different....(Who knows)!!