Chapter Thirty-seven (1/2)

Uniforms     Joshua put his books in his locker before exiting the college.  He looks around and spots a cafe across the street.  He nodded and walked that way.  He needs to wait fifteen minutes anyway since Jeonghan's out getting the kids from stork school.  He walks into the cafe and looks around.  "Hello?"  He called out. An older man came from the back and looked at him with a raised eyebrow.  "I suppose you can't read signs, Son?"  He asked with a chuckle. Joshua looked back at the doors and tried to read the sign backward.  "It says that the cafe is closed today,"  The man said, "we're in a hiring hiatus.  We only have one employee right now."  He continued. Joshua smiled and bowed to the man.  "Sir, I would like to work here."  He said. The man raised his eyebrow.  "Oh really?  Are you a student at that college?"  He asked, pointing at the building across the street. "Yes,"  He nodded, "I'm Joshua Hong."  He introduced himself. "I'm Nam Woohyun,"  The man said, shaking Joshua's hand, "do you have any prior work experience?"  He asked.

Joshua pursed his lips as he thought back.  Helping out in the kindergarten building didn't count as experience; it was just handing the kids crayons and teaching them how to blend colors.  "No, Sir.  I mostly studied in high school."  He answered honestly. "Were you a good student?"  Woohyun asked teasingly. "Best in my class, Sir."  Joshua answered honestly again. "Then you'll learn."  He winked.  "Send me your school schedule and I will give you your work schedule.  We're closed on Sundays, just remember that."  He said. Joshua nodded.  "Where is the other employee?" "Oh, he's most likely at school right now."  He said, looking at Joshua.  "You look a little stressed.. are you okay?"  He commented, finally looking at the redness around Joshua's eyes.

The younger nodded.  "I'm fine, the books just have my neck sore.."  He massaged his neck. "You know,"  Woohyun started, "there's a relaxation building a little further from here.  You should go Sunday.  They offer massages, spa sessions, and even a steam bath with herbal scents.  The first visit is free."  He advertised. Joshua smiled.  "That actually doesn't sound too bad.. I think I will go."  He said.  He bowed and left the cafe after giving his contact information. He made it back to the college and took his books out of his locker and put them in his bag.  He then walked out of the building and spotted that bus coming by.  He opened the door and sat down beside Wonwoo.  "Hey, Hyung."  Jun looked back at him from the passenger's seat.  "How did school go today?"  He asked excitedly. "Really good.."  He said, rubbing his eye.  "Dad,"  He got the parent's attention, "I applied for a job at the cafe."

Jeonghan stopped abruptly at the stop sign.  "You did what?"  He turned in his seat looking at Joshua.  "I.. applied for a job.."  He repeated.  "I don't know if I'll be hired.. but.."

Jeonghan gripped the steering wheel tighter as he slowly looked back toward the road.  "Joshua.."  He started with a sigh as he continued driving.  "You're only two months into college, shouldn't you be focusing more on your essays and such?  It's going to be really stressful on you if you work part-time and still have to study. "Trust me,"  He put his turn signal on, "it's not going to be pretty.  I hate to be this way, but I hope that the owner sees that you can't handle the multitasking and doesn't hire you."  Jeonghan said, putting his eyebrows lower. Jun looked at the parent with concern before nonchalantly looking at Joshua in the side mirror.  The older sibling looked hurt.  He looked like he was trying to mask his tiredness in his neutral expression.  But Jun saw it.  He saw the tears that were trying to form; he saw the disbelief in Joshua's roaming eyes; he saw the true stress come out of the man's being. He inwardly sighed.  Once they were parked, Joshua got out of the van without a word.  Jun did the same and followed the male into Joshua's bedroom.  He put his foot in the way of the door as it was closing.  "Jun?" "We need to talk,"  Jun said, closing the door, "dad's right, you're already stressed as it is with studying.  Do you really think you should get a job?"

Joshua looked at the Chinese boy angrily.  "Oh I don't need you telling me off too, Jun."  He said, putting his books on his desk angrily.  "I'm already going to hear it from Cheol in his soft voice, telling me that Jeonghan is always right and I should listen to him."  He sat down on his bed and sighed. Jun sat next to him and put his hand on Joshua's shoulder.  "I want to know why you want to get a job, I want to understand, Joshua."  He said with his eyebrows furrowed. Joshua closed his eyes.  "I just.. I want something different too.  I want to make money for law school.  I want to get work experience.  I want.. to meet people."  He looked at Jun.  "What do you want to do after you get your general?"  He asked with a small voice.  Jun smiled.  "Something to do with martial arts.. maybe I can be a teacher."  He answered.  "But Josh, if this is what you want to do, I want you to do it. "I'm all for you getting a job if you think you can manage it with your school."  He said sweetly.  "I'll talk to Cheol-daddy for you.  He and I have an understanding.. it goes back a little while.."  He said. Joshua looked at the other.  "I'm.. sorry for snapping at you.." "It's okay, I understand."  Jun forgave.  "If Cheol-dad is okay with it, I'm sure Jeong-dad will be okay with it too.  Just have hope and patience, Hyung." Joshua copied Jun's smile.  "Thank you.."

***

Seungcheol watches the other male comb his hair harshly before putting his comb down on the counter with anger.  He watched as Jeonghan angrily pulled his nightshirt over his head.  He pursed his lips as he looked down at his knees.  He picked up a piece of lint and watched it fall slowly to the floor. "Jeonghan,"  He spoke up, making the younger stop walking, "can we talk?"  He asked.

Jeonghan huffed.  "What's there to talk about, Cheol?  Do you want to boast about who all you've fired today or what accomplishments you've made in the company?"  He asked, putting his hands on his hips. "I want to talk about Josh.."  Seungcheol answered. "Oh, don't even mention that child's name!"  Jeonghan threw his socks to the floor.

Seungcheol remembered what Jun had told him earlier.  Seems to be more than just against him wanting to work..  He rubbed his lips while watching Jeonghan continue to prepare himself for sleep.  "You seem really upset about it-" "I didn't know you could tell."  Jeonghan snapped, looking at him angrily. "Talk to me,"  Seungcheol requested, "why are you upset with him wanting to work?" Jeonghan breathed in and out.  "How old is he, eighteen?  He shouldn't be thinking about working yet."  He folded his arms, looking angrily at Seungcheol. Seungcheol stood up and put his arm around Jeonghan's shoulders, guiding him to sit down with him.  "Jeonghan,"  He started softly, "you started work when you were young, didn't you?" "Exactly, it was hard for me to balance school and work.  What if Joshua gets depressed and stressed out?  What if he accidentally hurts himself or gets into trouble?"  Jeonghan asked in worry.  "What if he meets someone like Minhyuk and he keeps the guy a secret from us? "What if he suffers silently, Cheol?"  Jeonghan asks with tears in his eyes.  "I want him to enjoy his life, not hurt himself."  He said, putting his face into Seungcheol's chest.  "He's my baby, Cheol.."  He cries.

Seungcheol stroked Jeonghan's back and sighed.  "He really wants this.."  He said in a whisper.  "He wants to go out and meet new people, gain new experiences, and make us proud.."  He stated.  "I think we should give him a chance." Jeonghan looked up and into Seungcheol's eyes.  "And if he finds it too stressful, it's only a cafe job he's working at.  It's nothing too serious like being a lawyer like he wants to be."  Seungcheol continued with a smile.  "He needs to slowly adapt to being around people that aren't like him.  That aren't sheltered stork kids. "Just like with the others, he needs to find out who he is."  Seungcheol thumbed the tears away from Jeonghan's eyes.  "stunting his growth will eventually hurt him too.  He's an adult now." "He's my baby though..  They're all my children."  He said wiping his nose with the back of his hand.  "I don't want.. to lose them.." Seungcheol sighed.  You don't want them to grow up.  Is what he wanted to say.  "We're not losing them, they're still here.  Josh will meet many types of people.  Some might be like Minhyuk, but others will be like me.  How do you see me?" Jeonghan smiled.  "Kind.. considerate, loving.. adorable.. strong.."  He listed a few things.  "Wise, dependable,"  He laid back on the bed with Seungcheol.  "Mine.." "Josh will meet people with these traits.  He'll be happy and we will be too."  Seungcheol smiled as he played with Jeonghan's hair.  "Ever since I met Joshua, I imagined how it would be like when he grew up. "How he would dress, what foods and colors he would like, and what he would be interested most in."  He said in a dreamy tone.  "I've imagined all of our kids being grown up.  And honestly?  I'm proud of every vision I've seen.."  Seungcheol looked up at the ceiling with eased eyelids.

Jeonghan nodded.  "Okay.. if you think it's a good idea.."  He started playing with Seungcheol's shirt buttons.  "I'll support Josh too.." "Of course we must monitor him.  Even if it annoys him, I'm going to ask how his work went every day."  Seungcheol said with a chuckle. Jeonghan laughed along.  "Me too."  He pushed his face deeper into Seungcheol's chest.  "Good night."

Seungcheol laughed and sat up.  "Hold up,"  He turned off the lights and returned inside the blanket, "now good night~"  He kissed Jeonghan sweetly. Jeonghan giggled and pulled the male on top of him.  "Love on me tonight~?"  He asked cutely. "I'll love on you all night, Jeonghan."  Seungcheol said in a husky voice.