×Jay's pov×

The aroma of simmering garlic and ginger filled the small apartment, a testament to Jay's dedication to making his parents a proper lunch.

His phone buzzed, and a smile spread across Jay's face as he read Sunghoon's message.

"Soooo I got out of the bathroom, and now I'm with Heeseung hyung cause, technically, he rarely sleeps when he's alone, and I don't want him to stay up. He's asleep now."

Jay chuckled, the warmth of Sunghoon's concern radiating through the screen.

"You care so much, I think you should go to sleep too, it's really late. You don't want Heeseung hyung to wake up and see you on your phone and think that you're not sleeping bc of him, do you?"

He typed, his thumbs flying across the screen. He left his phone on the counter, momentarily forgetting about the simmering pot on the stove. He turned back to the food, the smile still lingering on his lips. Sunghoon, always so considerate, even when it came to someone he barely knew.

Jay finished the meal, the aroma of garlic and ginger now mingled with the sweet scent of soy sauce and sesame oil.

He plated the food and carried it out to the dining table, where his parents awaited him with expectant smiles.

"I'll eat later, I promise. Don't worry about me. Bon appétit!"

He said, and his parents exchanged concerned glances, but Jay simply shook his head, assuring them that he'd eat later.

He quickly retreated to his room, his phone buzzing with another message from Sunghoon.

"I'm okay, I'll probably sleep here. He needs me here. I just hope my back or knee won't hurt tomorrow from sleeping on the edge of the bed, because I have to go to practice. I just can't wait for the competitionnn."

Jay's heart ached for his friend. Sunghoon, always so selfless, always putting everyone else's needs before his own.

"Hey, get up and go to your room. Right. now. Heeseung hyung will understand. You have to be fine for tomorrow. AND YOU STILL HAVEN'T SENT ME A PICTURE OF YOU IN YOUR NEW UNIFORM?!?!?"

Sunghoon's reply came instantly. Sometimes, Jay found funny how Sunghoon would answer him so quickly.

"You'll see it when you come back. Which is in like... Almost 2 weeks. The competition will happen in January, don't worry. Dude, I seriously miss you."

Jay laughed, knowing that he would be back in just three days. It was a surprise that everyone but Sunghoon knew about.

"I miss you too, I'll try to be back as soon as possible. Please go to sleep. Please."

"Fine. But, you also. You should go eat lunch. No, you will go bc I said so. Ly, bye!"

With an 'ily' back, Jay put his phone down. He was really hungry, and he needed some energy for later. He would go out with his parents, and he couldn't be tired.

Jay relented and sat down for lunch with his parents, the aroma of the food finally winning him over.

He wasn't sure how much he actually ate, but his parents were happy to see him eat, and that was all that mattered.

After lunch, he retreated back to his room, the familiar space still feeling a little strange and too quiet.

He rummaged through his suitcase, choosing a comfortable outfit for later. Taking a long, hot bath, letting the warmth relax his muscles, he finally felt himself unwind.

He stumbled out of the bathroom, his hair dripping and his face flushed from the warm water.

He quickly dressed, a mixture of exhaustion and excitement bubbling within him.

As he sat down on the bed, he fell asleep, for about eight hours. He was really sleepy, he hadn't slept last night.

He slept heavily after a really long time, only to be woken by his parents' excited voices.

"Jay! Wake up, we're going out!"

As they walked down the street, the cool air hitting his skin, his phone buzzed. It was Jungwon, Jay's face lighting up.

"Good morning!"

He answered, since it was nine o'clock in Korea, his voice muffled by the phone. He always got excited when he was talking to Jungwon.

"Hey, hyung! How are you doing there? Are you having fun?"

Jungwon asked, his voice filled with energy, that made Jay chuckle, trying to hide his red face from his parents.

"I'm out with my parents! We have no idea where will we go, but they're both gonna make it fun. I'll tell you all about it later, when I'm home. Are you having fun there?"

"Oh, yes! Lots of fun, especially with Sunghoon hyung. He is so good at ice skating!"

"I'm glad you're okay! Take care of yourself and Sunghoon, cause he won't do it himself, until I come back, yeah? Ask Jake to do it as well. I'll call you soon, gotta go now! Love you!"

And the moment he hung up, he realised what he had said. His eyes opened wide, as he put his phone back in his jean's pocket.

He looked at his parents, who weren't paying attention to him, and then at the ground. Why did he do that?

Jay's stomach twisted with a mix of guilt and relief. He'd just blurted out 'love you' to Jungwon, completely forgetting that his parents were right beside him. He didn't even know what came over him.

He was so used to expressing his affection openly to Sunghoon, but Jungwon was different.

He took another look at his parents, who were busy admiring the view from the hilltop.

They hadn't heard him. He breathed a sigh of relief, but the knot in his stomach remained.

'I'll call you soon, gotta go now! Love you!'

The words echoed in his mind, the way Jungwon probably had reacted, all the awkwardness of the situation. He thought about it all, even tho Jungwon had no time to react.

He had to tell Sunghoon. He knew Sunghoon would be amused, and he needed to talk to someone, preferably someone who understood his feelings. Someone like his best friend.

And so Jay quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Sunghoon's number.