Only You, Jaeyun | JAKEHOON

Chapter 6

By the time lunch rolled around, Jake’s voice was almost gone.

“I think he’s melting,” Jay announced, watching Jake slumped over his bento box like a used tissue.

“I’m fine,” Jake rasped.

“You sound like a dying violin,” Heeseung said, frowning.

Jake sniffled.

Sunghoon stood up wordlessly.

“Where are you going?” Jay called.

“Office,” Sunghoon said over his shoulder. “Nurse.”

He came back five minutes later with a thermometer, cold medicine, and a heat patch. Just casually dropped it all in front of Jake.

Jake blinked at the pile. “Did you rob her?”

“She offered.”

Jay raised an eyebrow. “Did she offer, or did you just stare until she panicked?”

Sunghoon didn’t answer.

Jake took the thermometer hesitantly, cheeks burning. “You didn’t have to…”

“You keep saying that,” Sunghoon replied, eyes on the sandwich in front of him. “But I wanted to.”

Jake stared at him.

Sunghoon didn’t look up.

They spent the rest of the lunch quietly. Heeseung and Jay occasionally made jokes, but they were softer than usual, like they were afraid to startle Jake into a full collapse.

When the bell rang, Jake swayed as he stood up. Sunghoon caught his elbow.

“You should go home.”

“I’m okay—”

“You’re not.”

Jake looked up. Sunghoon wasn’t frowning, but his voice was different. Gentle. Firm. A little scared, maybe.

“I’ll walk you,” Sunghoon added, already grabbing his bag.

Jake blinked. “But your classes—”

“I’ll copy Jay’s notes.”

“That’s a terrible idea,” Heeseung muttered.

Jake swayed again.

“Fine,” he sighed. “But you don’t have to hold my arm like I’m dying.”

“You look like you might,” Sunghoon said.

They walked out together, the hallway half-empty and quiet. Jake’s steps were slow.

Sunghoon adjusted the strap of his bag onto one shoulder, then looked down at Jake.

“You should tell us earlier when you feel sick.”

“I didn’t want to bother anyone…”

Sunghoon exhaled through his nose.

“You’re not a bother,” he said.

Jake blinked at that. “...Thanks.”

Sunghoon didn’t scold him for the thank you this time. He just walked closer, letting their shoulders brush.

When they reached the school gates, Jake paused.

“This is where I wait for the bus,” he said, coughing lightly into his sleeve.

Sunghoon looked at him for a long moment. Then said, “Next time, I’ll walk you all the way.”

Jake stared at him. Then gave a small, hoarse laugh.

“You really don’t talk much, huh?”

Sunghoon looked at him.

“I don’t have to,” he said. “You fill in the blanks.”

Jake smiled, eyes tired but bright.

“Okay, Hoonie.”

Sunghoon blinked. That name. Again.

Jake waved weakly before stepping away.

And as he disappeared around the corner, Sunghoon stayed right there—watching.

That night, Jake’s phone buzzed again.

> Hoonie❄️
Rest. Drink warm tea. No excuses.

Jake laughed to himself in the dark, clutching his pillow and smiling like an idiot.

He sent back:
Yes, sir.
Then added a ♡ to the name in his contacts.

end of chapter