Jake's back to being flustered as he gets wheeled to the dining hall by Yeonjun with Heeseung trailing behind, sinking into his gown. Jake has never liked being stared at, and now, the stares are relentless. Of course, this is on him because he was the one who said he wanted to eat outside. But that was only because he desperately needed a change of scenery so he wouldn't succumb to those nightmarish memories once again.

"We already got you some new clothes you can start wearing from tomorrow," Yeonjun says while Jake takes in the interior design. It's all marble, with high ceilings, white walls and antique tapestries, just like the room Jake had been staying at. It reminds him of a hospital, even a chapel. The dining hall is a welcome difference, a soothing beige with deep mahogany furniture.

"Sorry you got stuck in the gown for so long. It isn't often we get new revivals," Yeonjun continues. "The clothes should fit you, I think. We went off Heeseung’s measurements, since you guys almost have the same build."

Jake’s face heats up at that, but he doesn't dare to entertain the reason why that occurred.

A few people are present at the dining table, and the chatter ceases as soon as Jake emerges.

Please kill me now, Jake thinks, desperately hoping the ground rips open and swallows him whole.

He easily spots Jongseong and Sunghoon seated side by side, both dressed in matching pyjamas. They both wave at him too, matching grins on their faces, and Jake is suddenly reminded of the twins from The Shining. He won't ever voice that thought out loud, though.

Jake nods their way, forcing a smile while Yeonjun wheels him next to a rather young looking guy with lots of ear piercings currently indulging in what appears to be tteokbokki, surprisingly. Jake had thought they were all not-alive, but then again, he wouldn't have been offered food if he couldn't eat.

"That's Nishimura Riki. Riki, meet Jake," Yeonjun introduces. Riki just holds up a peace sign in response, clearly not in the mood to chat. Jake is fine with that. Yeonjun also introduces the others, but Jake is too busy with his thoughts to listen.

"Oh – before we bring the food, any allergies?" Yeonjun questions, snapping Jake back to reality.

Jake again wonders why he's being asked that when he's not really alive anymore. Sure, he's not – dead, either, but isn't he kind of like a vampire now? But without the thirst for blood. At least that's what Jake hopes.

Nonetheless, he shakes his head, reasoning that Yeonjun probably wanted to maintain a sense of normalcy. But Jake thinks it's already too late. Everything that has happened thus far has felt like some absurd fever dream, so much so that he believes he is dreaming. 

"Awesome." Yeonjun grins, before leaving the dining hall along with Heeseung.

There's another guy seated right across from Jake, dark haired with striking eyes. He rests his head over his folded arms, his plate of food forgotten as he studies Jake with a type of fascination that makes Jake more self-conscious.

"You've been the hot topic for nearly a month now," the guy reveals, tucking a few strands of hair behind his ears. "So tell me, Jake, how did you die?"

"Jungwon, cut it out," Jongseong scolds, quickly heading their way with Sunghoon right behind.

Jake wants to be left alone, but he'd rather be surrounded by vaguely familiar faces rather than ones who only see him as a source of gossip. He suddenly remembers Sunoo, how he always jumped to defend him from the people who looked down on him. And, Jungwon's stares remind Jake of those ones he got at that dreaded party.

Jake doesn't even know where his phone is. Does this place even have cell service? He seriously doubts it. He can only imagine how many times Sunoo has called him. A twisted part of him wants Sunoo to be worried sick about his well being. To think about Jake like Jake has been thinking about him.

"Shit, sorry," Jungwon apologizes, interrupting his train of thought. And he really does look sincere. "I was just curious. It's not everyday we get a new revival, especially one that heals so quickly. S’kinda insane, actually."

Yeonjun said the same thing, and it just makes Jake more wary of the situation. Not to mention the way they keep referring to him as a 'new revival’, like he's somehow one of them now. Yeah, he might have been revived, or whatever, but he has no interest in this 'demon fighting' thing they're all talking about. And if it's 'been a while' since they got someone like him , how long has this been going on?

Sunghoon and Jongseong are staring too, just like Jungwon. Even Riki casts him brief glances ever so often. And if there's one thing Jake hates, it's unnecessary attention.

"It's fine," he says, shrugging to drive the point home. His shoulders are stiff as fuck, the jut of his collarbones protesting at the movement, but at least he can move them now. "No need to apologize."

Jungwon's lips part, clearly wanting to ask something else, but the footsteps entering the hall distract him from whatever he was about to say.

Yeonjun places steaming bowls of tteokbokki and kimchi stew, as well as rice and various other side dishes before a startled Jake. He pours Jake some water too, while Heeseung grabs the seat next to Sunghoon. Jake notices how his tray holds the exact same dishes as him. "You can never go wrong with these."

"Yeonjun, are you not eating?" Riki speaks up for the first time.

"Later." Yeonjun shakes his head. It's at that moment Jake spots the tiny streaks of white populating his otherwise black hair, like Soobin’s. Jake can't help but wonder if it's some sort of fashion statement, although he has his doubts. "I have to discuss some things with Soobin. Jake, do you need some help?"

Hating that he's being put on the spot once more, Jake wriggles his fingers to show he's more than capable of feeding himself. "I'm good, thanks."

"Alright then." Yeonjun claps his hands. "Enjoy your meal, you guys." With that, he exits, and Jake’s quick eyes pick up on the playful glances exchanged between everyone else. Heeseung is the only one not amused like everyone else, prodding at his fluffy rice before taking a swift spoonful.

Jungwon notices Jake’s confusion, and smirks like a mischievous cat, leaning in like he's about to share a big secret. "Soobin and Yeonjun are... close. You could say clothes aren’t the only things they share."

Jake coughs in lieu of an answer, his ears burning as he shovels some tteokbokki into his mouth. He's not a prude or anything. He was only caught off-guard by the innuendo, that's it.

"Jungwon, you're crazy. Don't make me imagine them like that, " Sunghoon retorts, face scrunched in mock disgust.

"Says you," Jungwon says just as Jongseong attempts to feed Sunghoon some beef. "You think I don't see how sickeningly close you guys have gotten, especially recently? Don't forget my Halo is super hearing."

"Oh my god," Sunghoon laments, while Riki just watches on, obviously entertained.

And to be honest, Jake is too, even when Heeseung grabs his attention more than he likes. He can't help it, however. Heeseung's silence both captivates and worries him. 

Jake's more than used to being on the outside, looking in and observing as people cultivate connections without a care in the world. And now that someone else behaves the same way he does, Jake feels a sense of solidarity, almost, as he’s not a stranger to how alienating it often feels.

Jake narrowly bites his tongue when Heeseung's eyes meet his across the table. His face is unreadable, but luckily he isn't mad – or at least that's what Jake wants to believe. Nevertheless, he's freaking the fuck out the inside, and when he's anxious, he makes the dumbest, stupidest mistakes.

Jake looks away, about to gobble down some more tteokbokki and pretend he hasn't just messed up whatever relationship that could have festered between them because he just wouldn't. Stop. Staring, when he misses his mouth entirely, the tteokbokki ramming into his cheek instead. Jake can feel the sauce on his face.

He wants to kill himself.

"Here." Riki hands Jake some of the tissue he apparently keeps on standby, possibly for incidents like this.

"Thank you," Jake says, grateful. Fortunately no one else seems to have realized the real reason he smeared tteokbokki over his cheek like a five year old, probably regarding it as a result of him still in the process of retaining control of his limbs.

"You're welcome," Riki smiles, appearing much friendlier now. Now that Jake thinks about it, no one has treated him poorly so far, even the ones he didn't have the best first impression of. Is it because they think of him as one of them now? Or are they just being nice? 

Jake has spent most of his childhood and most of his teen years under someone's wing, only to discover they kept him around just 'cause they felt bad for him.

As Jake wipes his face clean, his eyes meet Heeseung’s again. He swears he isn't doing it on purpose; half of him suspects Heeseung only catches him in the act because he stares at him too.

In your dreams, the voice in Jake’s head taunts, and Jake hates himself for entertaining that ridiculous thought.

Jake proceeds to ignore Heeseung as best as he can, focused on finishing his meal before it gets too cold to actually enjoy. It isn’t that difficult to do because Heeseung is done with his food before long, exiting the hall without so much as a goodbye.

Jake doesn't know why it bothers him so much. Maybe, deep down, he kind of hoped…

What did Jake hope for, really? For Heeseung to continue acknowledging him? For Heeseung to somehow 'prove' that he had indeed been staring at Jake like he'd thought?

Jake has no idea why he's so hung up on this. He only got to talk to Heeseung tonight, and it wasn't even a proper conversation. It hasn't been twelve hours, and Jake is back to his old ways of obsessing over someone who doesn't even give him the time of day.

"What's his deal?" Jake finds himself asking out loud before he has the chance to stop himself.

The table goes quiet. Jongseong even stops feeding Sunghoon stuff, his pyjama sleeves riding up his right arm to expose veins that simmer a soft gold. Sunghoon’s also got the same too on his left, Jake notices, but he can't be bothered to think too deeply about it at the moment. He's too occupied with the fact that he just aired out his thoughts just because Heeseung didn't spare him a glance before he left.

"What's Heeseung’s deal?" Riki repeats. Jake doesn't know if he's pissed or not.

"Heeseung's always been on the quieter side," Jungwon says.

"Yeah. It's just his personality. Don't let it get to you," Jongseong adds, worsening Jake's guilt. 

"Sorry. I didn't mean to –" Jake inhales sharply. "I'm just on-edge, considering everything that's happened these past few weeks."

"It's alright," Sunghoon tells him, before stretching out his palm.

Confused, Jake takes it, and his anxiety dissolves like it never was never there in the first place.

"Halo's healing, remember?" Sunghoon grins, showcasing a rather awkward thumbs up that has everyone bursting into chuckles, Jake included.

It's odd, really, because Jake barely knows these people. Yet he doesn't feel like the odd one out.

---

Jake awakes to the fact that he can walk now.

Okay, walking is a bit of an exaggeration, but Jake can move his legs, something that's still quite hard to process considering he'd been in a car crash weeks ago, literally dead.

Before Jake gets caught up in the memories he focuses on the issue at hand.

Firstly: he can walk now. Secondly: he needs to take a fucking shower.

Jake has no clue where the bathroom is, so he pushes himself off the bed to search for it, only for his clumsy ass to land head first on the floor. Fortunately, his arms break his fall, shielding his face with reflexes so quick it makes Jake question whether he's still himself.

Of course, Jake would be lying if he said he didn't feel a bit... different after getting revived. The despair that accompanied him wherever he went is no more now. It's been replaced by a certain strength that makes him believe that he can do anything.

Jake jumps to his feet, noting that sudden movements are still a no-go. He soon trudges out of the bedroom, relying on his memory of last night to navigate the place.

The corridor looks a lot different now that it's daytime. Sunbeams seep through the floor to ceiling windows, casting an ethereal glow upon the walls and tapestries.

Jake, stunned, stands there for a while and just observes everything, but he soon regains his composure, wanting to get out of this gown already.

Jake avoids the left, which would lead straight to the dining hall, and turns, preparing to head the other way when someone calls his name.

It's Jongseong, the guy dressed in a black tank top and cargo pants, an entirely different person from the one Jake talked to last night. Jake cautiously inspects the weapons stacked around Jongseong's belt, most of them resembling daggers.

"You can walk now," Jongseong cheers, grinning broadly. "That's great!"

Jongseong's excitement is admittedly contagious, because Jake finds himself smiling too. It's hard not to, especially when Jongseong seems so genuine. And Jake has always been a sucker for praise.

"Thanks, Jongseong," Jake responds. “Are you perhaps… older than me?”

Jongseong chuckles. "Got revived on my twentieth birthday. And it's been nearly two years, so I'm pretty sure I'm older than you."

Oh.

"Fuck, I'm sorry," Jake apologizes, but Jongseong just waves him off, his smile unwaveringly earnest.

"Dude, it's okay," Jongseong answers. "Anyway, where were you heading to?"

"I need to take a shower." Jake tugs at the sleeve of his gown to get his point across.

"Isn't it better to train first before showering? That's what I do, anyways. 'Cause it's pretty tasking," Jongseong tells him.

Jake pauses. "Train? What do you mean?"

"You're retaining your skills, Jake. You'll need to hone them sooner or later. Find your Halo, y'know?" Jongseong reveals, and Jake panics.

Jake doesn't want to take up Jongseong's time however. Doesn't want to be seen as a nuisance. He asks for directions to the bathrooms, the place looking something out of a luxury hotel with its grand, spotless shower stalls and wooly towels.

Jake has a very satisfactory shower, and it's even better because no one else is using it too.

He gets so used to the silence and empty corridors as he ambles back to his room, that he almost jumps out of his skin at the sight of the person briskly heading his way.

It's none other than Heeseung, looming, imposing and donned in something similar to what Jongseong wore. And he’s ripped.  

Jake curses himself for being so forgetful, because instead of heading back to grab the clothes Yeonjun had left out for him, he figured it wouldn't hurt skipping out on a shirt since it seemed pretty early anyway.

Jake is dumb. He's so fucking dumb.

"Um, hi," Jake stutters over his words, even attempting a wave that's more painfully awkward than anything. He tries to ignore the very obvious elephant in the room – which is him being freaking shirtless – and zeroes in on the fact his bedroom is just a few feet away at this point.

Heeseung nods, his brown eyes taking Jake in. Jake also ignores the heat flushing his skin. He really hopes it isn't obvious, and remembers that Heeseung was just coming from the direction of his bedroom. Which can only mean –

"Good, you're on your feet now," Heeseung comments, straight to the point and emotionless. "Get dressed. I'll see you again in ten."

Oh fuck. Jake is not looking forward to what this morning has in store for him.