The smell of freshly fried eggs and mouthwatering stripes of bacon and sausages had filled the entire room. The blithe family was seated at the kitchen table, already devouring the delicious breakfast Seungjo had made.

"Dads, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, bunbun," Seungjo said.

Jeongguk paused from eating as he hesitantly looked at his parents. "What does it mean if someone says they live every day in the dark?"

The two fathers shared a glance and fixed their gaze on him. "Can you explain more?" Jisung asked.

"For example, if you ask someone, 'Aren't you scared of the dark?' And they say, 'No, I live every day in it. Why would I be scared of it?' What does that mean?"

Seungjo's gaze softened at his words as he finally understood. "It means someone is having a really, really hard time, bunbun."

"And what can someone do to help them?"

"Well, it's different for every person," Jisung spoke in a gentle tone. "Some may want to be left alone and deal with it by themselves. Some may need someone to support them. Some may not know what they want or what they can do to get out of there."

"Yeah, but what can I do?"

"What can you do?"

Only then Jeongguk realized his mistake and a wave of panic spread through him. "I-I mean, what can someone do?"

They chuckled at their son's cuteness while giving him fond looks. "You can talk to them. Not about their problems necessarily, but just be there if they want to talk about anything. Now, do you want to tell us what is going on exactly?" Seungjo knew the younger wouldn't say anything yet, but it was worth the try.

"Nothing is going on. I read something similar, and I was curious."

"You know, Kookie"—Jisung chuckled once more—"you are an artful kid in everything, you touch perfection in everything, but you really suck at lying."

"Dad! I'm not lying," Jeongguk whined as he crossed his arms, his bottom lip jutting out in a pout.

"Yeah, bunbun, sure," Seungjo joined the teasing, laughing even harder when Jeongguk hid his face in his hands. "Look, whoever that person is, don't force them to talk and don't treat them like a hopeless, fragile person. Can you at least tell us if it's a boy?"

"I told you, I'm not talking about anyone!" Jeongguk said, still pouting hard. Although he knew he could fully trust his parents, whenever he met anyone, they fired him with endless questions about them, and he really didn't want to deal with that yet.

"Did you meet that someone at Han Cafe?" Jisung asked, not believing a word he just said.

"I love you, but please stop interrogating me."

"We just want you to have good people around you, bunbun," Seungjo uttered softly.

"I know. Don't worry." Jeongguk offered them a small smile and a hug before finishing his breakfast.

He retreated to his room a while later. He did his everyday workout and a few exercises with the punching bag, and after two hours, he took a long, soothing shower to ease his flaming body.

One and a half hour before his shift, the cherry-haired boy stood in the living room fully dressed and ready to go to work. "I'll see you later," he said to his parents, who were cuddling on the couch.

"It's still early," Jisung said with a confused look.

"I want to talk to Chang Wook about something."

"You're very secretive today, young man." Seungjo narrowed his eyes on him as he found his behavior rather strange.

"You don't have to know everything." Jeongguk flashed a small, taunting smile and dashed to the door.

"We most certainly—" The door was shut then, cutting Seungjo's words off. "—do." He snorted as he snuggled closer to his husband.

 
Jeongguk arrived at the cafe thirty minutes later, surprising Dohwan who was checking how the employees were doing. "I know we said you guys shouldn't be late for work, but damn, Kook, that's too much."

A faint chuckle left the younger's mouth at his playful remark as he neared him. "I'm here to talk to Mr. Ji Chang Wook."

"What's wrong?"

"He's in his office, right?"

"Yeah, but will you tell me what's wrong?"

"If you wanna know, come with me." He took off right away, and Dohwan eagerly trailed behind him. They entered the office as the door was already open, causing the boss to look up from his laptop.

"Jeongguk, I don't have a good feeling about your visit." Chang Wook raised a suspicious brow as he reclined in his seat.

"Now, why would you say that?" Jeongguk sneered as he sat on the chair in front of his desk.

"Just yesterday you were here asking to have a day off every Saturday because of your training. You always want something when you pay me a visit."

"You denied that, though."

"Because you already have a day off every Sunday. Let's not repeat ourselves, hmm?"

Jeongguk huffed at his words with an eye roll and decided to drop it. "I'm here to talk about Kim Taehyung."

Chang Wook's already solemn look darkened even more. "No. Leave."

"Come on, Chang Wook-ssi. Taehyung worked his ass off yesterday. He only took a break to rest twice and for like a minute while most of us take a break every damn hour. It was his first day. Can't you just cut him some slack?"

"No. You even lied to me, Jeongguk. I asked you how he did and you said great when he made three mistakes."

"He only did one and—"

"I know he spilled the coffee and he made the customer wait!"

"It was my fault, okay? I forgot to make the coffee and he was so stressed about it that it slipped his hand. And are you really gonna believe every word Kang Joon says?"

"He's the only one who tells me the truth!"

"Yeah, because he's a wicked son of a—I mean, he's spiteful with the new kids, okay? Taehyung spilled that milkshake because Kang Joon called his name with such viciousness, like he made the biggest mistake ever and he just forgot to take a glass of water."

The boss eyed him, a scowl still visible on his sharp features. "What's done, is done."

"Dohwan, help?"

The said boy let out a long sigh as he leaned against the desk, eyes riveted on Chang Wook. "It's okay to make mistakes. I can tell he'll do better. He was just nervous. And the customers seemed satisfied with his service, even the one who had to wait for his coffee. And that was Jeongguk's fault, apparently."

"Yes, it was," the youngest of the three said with a firm nod.

"Why are you fighting with me over this, Jeongguk?"

"Because it's not fair. He was the only one who got fired and it's not okay. Not everyone was perfect yesterday, but he was the only one who got fired."

"Because he made the most mistakes."

"That doesn't mean he isn't good. And just so you know, Kang Joon takes a break every hour to smoke." Jeongguk didn't even care about coming out as petty. Ratting the mistakes of the new employees to the boss was pure evil for him.

"That was a low blow, Kook," Dohwan said in a quiet tone.

"So what? He's not gonna lose his job, even if I just ratted on him. But Taehyung did lose his job because Kang Joon ratted on him." He darted his piercing gaze at the boss, his fingers curling into a fist. "You see the problem here, Chang Wook-ssi?"

The boss rolled his eyes skywards and massaged his forehead with the pad of his fingers to soothe his tense nerves. "I want to fire you so much right now."

Jeongguk broke into a simpering smile, clearly teasing him. "You won't. I'm your best and you love me."

Chang Wook snorted at his remark, shaking his head. "Leave, kid. I'll see what I can do."

"You're the best boss ever!" Jeongguk's entire face brightened in an instant as he held tiny fists in the air, celebrating his victory. "You'll call him now, right?"

"Leave!" Chang Wook growled, but something playful could be sensed in his tone.

"Alright, alright! Thank you, though," Jeongguk said with genuine gratitude.

🥀

Taehyung was at his worst. Without a job, he couldn't make his own money so he couldn't take more piano lessons.

His hyung was working from home once again, so there he was, inside his safe place, scarcely tapping the piano keys while playing the melody in his head.

His phone ringing throughout the room made him flinch and drop the flashlight that was tucked under his chin with a loud thud. With hasty moves, he hid the instrument and burst out of his closet to grab his phone.

"Hello?" He lowered his hand to glance at the caller ID as he forgot to check before answering. His eyes widened in no time then, his body growing rigid. "Hello, Mr. Ji!"

"Yes, hello, Taehyung. Can you drop by the cafe? I would like to talk to you."

"Y-yes, Mr. Ji! I'll be there in an hour."

"Great."

Taehyung, unable to understand what had just happened, got ready in a hurry to go to the cafe. It didn't take him long to leave his room, but he forgot one important thing from his excitement.

He had to face Jongwon on his way out.

"Where are you going again?"

Taehyung gulped at his sharp tone, and although he didn't want to make Mr. Ji wait, he had to answer all of his questions. "I'm going to work."

"You said you won't go today because they don't need you. Are you fucking lying to me, you piece of shit?" he spat out through gritted teeth as he trod towards him.

"No! R-really, my boss just called me, look." The frightened boy took his phone out of his pocket and showed him the last call.

Jongwon was still dubious about his story, his brows drawn together and his jaw clenched. "Fine. Since you already did all the housework, leave."

"Thank you, h-hyung." He reached for the door handle with wobbly hands and couldn't believe he got out of the house without even a smack on his head.

He ran to the subway station, which thankfully was close to his house. He didn't have to hurry, but he was eager to know what Mr. Ji wanted to tell him.

He took the bus afterwards, and he managed to arrive exactly an hour later from his call with the boss. The cafe was filled with customers as the employees for the night shift had just started working.

He waved back at Inhyuk who cast him a broad smile and his eyes fell on Jeongguk who had his back turned to him, probably making drinks.

He continued his way to the office and knocked on the door, waiting until the boss gave him permission to enter. "Hello, Mr. Ji. Mr. Woo." He made a ninety-degree bow and warily sat on a chair in front of the boss.

"Call me Dohwan. I don't like formalities that much," Dohwan said with a small chuckle, making the younger smile.

"Anyway." Chang Wook threw a glance at his friend and set his gaze on Taehyung. "I don't want to waste our time with chattering so... I want to give you your job back."

"Really?" Taehyung shifted on the edge of his seat, his eyes sparkling with a glimmer of hope.

"Yes. I want to give you another chance and you need to do well this time."

"Yes, Mr. Ji! I'll try my best. Thank you so much for this."

"You should thank that little brat, Jeongguk."

Questioning, doe eyes replaced his hopeful ones, unable to take in what Mr. Ji just said. "Je—Jeongguk? He talked to you?"

"Yes, he did. I should really take the wind out of his sails somehow."

"Alright, you old man, calm down," Dohwan snickered as he nudged his shoulder. But Chang Wook's dour expression soured his gleeful smile, and he earned a tsk sound and an eye roll from him.

Taehyung chortled at the rather amusing scene and cleared his throat. "I'm just gonna go." He bowed again and skipped out of the office with a grin tugging at his lips.

It was as if his body was moving on its own, making all the decisions for him. Somehow he found himself pattering towards an oblivious cherry-haired boy and then throwing his arms around his belly, enclosing him into a bone-crushing hug from behind.

⚜✳⚜

Even though I shouldn't update another chapter today, I will because I'm sure you'll be curious about Kook's reaction😊