×Sunghoon's pov×

But as soon as he closed his eyes, Jay sat by Sunghoon's bedside, his heart a tight knot of worry. The younger boy was asleep, his breathing shallow and uneven, his face flushed with fever.

Jay hadn't slept, watching over Sunghoon the entire night. He'd seen the way his friend's eyes fluttered, the way his brow furrowed in pain, and it had brought a fresh wave of anxiety every time.

He was relieved when the morning brought a slight improvement. Sunghoon was still weak, but he seemed less pained than the previous day.

Days turned into nights, and nights into days. The routine remained the same: Jay tending to Sunghoon's needs, watching over him like a hawk, making sure he was comfortable and his fever subsided.

Sunghoon, though weak, was stubborn. He insisted on getting up, on doing things for himself, but Jay wouldn't budge.

And it was soon the day Jay would leave. And he was way more sad about it than Sunghoon was.

"Sunghoon-"

"How many times do I have to tell you? And don't say but. I know you. And you know me as well. I will be fine, we don't need to have the same conversation every time you leave."

Jay stayed quiet, and looked out of the window as Sunghoon drove him to the airport, since Jay couldn't take his motorcycle.

And when they arrived, for the first time, Sunghoon felt like crying. He didn't know why. It was the first time.

Jay would often leave, but Sunghoon would never be sad. He usually felt relaxed, because Jay would get to rest at his parents' house. His mom would do most of the things.

"Sunghoon? Everything okay?"

"I told you I'm fine, stop worrying."

Sunghoon forced a smile on his face, and looked away as they walked into the airport. He really felt bad.

But he couldn't understand why. There was no reason in his head. No reason at all.

"Hoon, I think you should go home. Being here makes you look sad."

"I will be here until the last minute. Let's go leave your suitcase there."

Sunghoon grabbed Jay by his hand, and started to lead him everywhere, holding him tight.

Maybe, if he could, he wouldn't let him get into the plane at all. He would take him back to the car.

And after some time, it was Jay's flight time. He started to walk through the plane, with Sunghoon still holding his hand.

"Hoon, I have to go. Please."

Sunghoon giggled, smiling nervously, and letgo of Jay's hand, slowly looking down, gazing at his shoes.

"Wait! Hug?"

Sunghoon asked, still looking down. He would rarely ask for a hug, but this past week he really felt like he needed them.

Jay smiled, wrapping his hands around Sunghoon's waist gently, his palms making Sunghoon feel warm.

"Bye bye."

"Tell your parents I said hi."

Sunghoon said, still smiling, waving at Jay. It was like his hand didn't want to wave at him because he didn't want him to leave.

Now, as he watched Jay disappear down the boarding ramp, the realization hit him like a punch to the gut. It was his birthday next week. And Jay wouldn't be there. So that was why.

It wasn't just the fact that Jay was leaving; it was that he wouldn't be there when Sunghoon needed him most. He wouldn't be there to celebrate, to listen to Sunghoon's birthday wishes, to spend time with him.

Sunghoon's smile faltered. He felt a lump in his throat, a tightness in his chest. He couldn't explain it, not even to himself.

He had never been sad about Jay leaving before. He had always been relieved that Jay was going home to his own family, to a warm bed and a loving embrace.

Sunghoon drove home in silence, the radio playing softly in the background. He tried to think of other things, anything to distract himself from the dull ache in his chest.

He forced himself to sing along to the song on the radio, his voice shaky. But it at least felt a little nice. It helped him get things out of his mind for a little while, since he was focusing on the lyrics and the song's rhythm.

He reached his apartment, the familiar sight of his living room failing to offer any comfort. It was too empty to make him feel good.

He liked being alone, but not when a special day was on its way. But Jay was now on the plane. He for sure couldn't come back.

He tossed his keys on the table and walked towards the fridge, hoping the mundane act of getting a drink would help. The fridge door opened, revealing a big plate of sour cherry cheesecake.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the cheesecake and the note tucked next to it:

"Bon appétit, Hoon! I know you love this, and I had to make it. I'll miss you so much. Eat it with love, just like I made it for you <3 -Jay"

A genuine smile crept onto his face. The thought of his best friend's kindness, the effort he put in to make him happy, warmed his heart. Suddenly, the emptiness in his chest seemed a little less heavy.

It was night already, and Sunghoon was staring at the ceiling, his gaze fixed on the faint crack that snaked across the plaster. The clock on his bedside table ticked, each second a heavy thud in the silence of his apartment. He was restless, a gnawing boredom eating away at him.

Frustration simmered within him. He couldn't just sit around, waiting for the day to drag on. He needed to do something, anything, to break the monotony.

Maybe taking a bath would help him feel better, help him relax, and forget anything that was bothering him.

With a decisive sigh, Sunghoon rose, making his way to the bathroom. He cranked up the hot water, letting the steam fill the bathroom, turning it into a hazy, almost ethereal space.