Chapter Text
"Two brunch plates for table number six. Ready to go." I wiped the sweat off my glistening forehead before taking the two dishes with ease, rushing towards the referred table. Mornings were always hectic at 'Edge Cafe' regardless of the day. But nonetheless I loved my job. The staff was beyond amazing, the customers were overall sweet, the salary tolerable but what I loved the most was the never ending liveliness. Things happened so fast it forced me to focus on something else than my father and Namjoon's wellbeing. Something I cherished a lot.
"Two brunch plates." I stated with a broad smile on my face as I neared the romantic couple, holding hands. They both looked up due to my arrival, their eyes longing for the meals I was caring. I didn't blame them, it was candy for the eye and for the tongue as well I could guarantee. Hard work makes you hungry.
"Here you go." I put the plates in front of them just like I've done it a hundred times before. They awed and thanked me more than enough.
"Enjoy your meals." I nodded slightly, leaving the couple to themselves when I was sure everything was just as it should be.
Rounding the corner of the bar I found the first chair that captured my eyes and tossed myself in it, burying my face in my hands, exhaustion slowly starting to evolve.
"A little impatient, are we?" A hand caressed my shoulder and I raised my head by the touch, meeting a reassuring smile from one of my sweet colleagues, Sora. She knew about my whereabouts and my family and why I insisted on having more shifts. She was always there for me despite the non-existing need to depend on others and oddly enough I grew fond of it. Especially in situations like these where my emotions were splattered all over the place. Today was the day my father and Namjoon would be returning home. After seven months and fifteen days. Seven months and fifteen days of pure torture.
Removing a strand from my face, a little tired smile seemed to appear.
"You have absolutely no idea." I exhaled. My fingers fidgeting with each other by the thought. In less than three hours I would have the most important people in my life in my arms and I couldn't wait.
She laughed. "No, I don't and thank God. I don't know how you do it".
She shook her head lightly, cleaning the wooden bar in front of her with a damp cloth.
"But it's pretty impressive. On the other hand, I'm internally dying if I have to wait more than five minutes for my coffee at Starbucks." I laughed at her little rant. It was as true as it could get, she was one of the most impatient people I've ever met. A charming girl who knew nothing about patience.
"Yeah, six minutes and that shop would be forever gone." I teased.
"Seven minutes and the president would receive a nice call." She stopped her doings and winked at me before continuing her work.
Her directness never failed to impress me.
"Have I ever told you how much I love you?"
"Oh, hush child. My old soul can't handle all these feelings." She massaged the spot around her heart, looking rather hit by my words.
She was always this overdramatic despite the fact that it was only small seven years separating us from each other.
"Nachos and a chicken omelette for table fifteen!" A loud voice from the kitchen roared.
"I guess that's my signal." Sighing, I slid my clammy palms down my jeans covered thighs as I got up from the chair, ready to continue and endure the last hour of my shift.
~~
I was practically shaking when I stood in the middle of the parking lot, surrounded by wives, children, friends, parents, dressed in their finest attire ready to welcome home their beloved ones. So was I. Wearing a cream colored romper and heeled sandals I felt like a princess, ready to greet my kings. Especially with my long hair waving down my back in endless curls. I've done a darn good job, making myself look pretty if I have to say it myself.
The strong tension was lingering in the air along with the non-stopping questions from kids asking in intervals how much time there was left until they could finally see mommy or daddy and it didn't exactly make the waiting more bearable, rather the opposite it made me more restless and nervous. However, it had nothing on the usual 'are we there yet?'.
My palms were damp and sweaty as I held onto the large sign in my hands. No more video calls, no more counting days. I blinked a couple of pressuring tears away, suppressing the sniffling threatening to arrive. I've waited for so long and now the wait was over. It almost sounded too good to be true but miracles can happen. And today was one of those days.
When three black double-deckers rounded the corner of the parking lot, squeals and cheers erupted from the continuously increasing crowd, waving with banners and signs. In the hope of getting a glimpse of the first men to get off the busses, I stretched my neck more than it was human possible. Looking like a giraffe, I searched and searched with my widened eyes, hoping I could spot the familiar combat boots and camo that belonged with me. I was rooted to the ground, the mass of people kept growing, allowing me to stay in put and not move too much but nothing could stop me as I feverishly walked around, turning my head once in awhile, hoping two missing faces would pop up. The two men I was dying to see.
That's when I saw him. I forgot everything about time and place. I forgot everything about being an eighteen year-old, I forgot everything about the sign in my hands. I forgot everything about the heels I was wearing when I stormed ahead, ignoring the cries and the happy laughters surrounding me. The tears were trying to catch up with each other, rolling down my face with high speed.
"Dad!!!" I shouted happily, surely causing people to turn around by the outburst but I didn't care, they could stare for eternity if they liked. The big built man didn't stand a chance when I jumped him, clinging onto him like a monkey climbing its favorite tree. He grinned in surprise noticing my eagerness, lifting me up from the ground.
"My sweet princess." I felt his arms encircle me, keeping me tight, almost convincing me it would stay this way forever. Such a lie, unfortunately.
"I missed you so much." I cried into his chest, probably staining the green fabric. I breathed in his scent, calming down by the move. Feeling the softness of his hand caressing my back, I felt drowsy, digging my fingers into his shirt fearing he could disappear if I didn't hold on tightly.
"I missed you too." When my cries somewhat subdued and we'd embrace each other for a good amount of time, he retracted himself, still holding onto me. His eyes were searching my face for God knows what.
After a silent moment, lasting three seconds at maximum, his lower lip quivered. "My beautiful daughter." He whispered, his voice cracking at the end. Small teardrops threatened with their entrance, infecting mine too. His hands found their way up to my face, cupping my cheeks so softly, I wondered whether he was afraid of breaking me.
"You look just like your mother." One of his hands ran through my hair shakily. Once again afraid of breaking me apart. The expression on his face made me doubt whether I really existed. He was looking at me with so much adoration, my tears spilt again. We didn't have to say anything, we both missed her dearly, knowing she was in a better place. No illness, no pain. Just pure bliss.
I placed my hand on top of his that was resting on my cheek, stroking the back of his hand in circular motions enjoying the radiating warmth.
Catching me off guard, he embraced me once again and I knew why. I heard it too. It was my father in a nutshell. He didn't want me to see his weakness. But he could cry as much as he wanted, he was still my strong hero, my rolemodel, my king, my everything and showing weakness only reinforced all that.
His sobs became louder and more heartbreaking to listen to but I kept my steadiness, caressing his back, hushing sweet words along the way. I would be strong for him.
"Hayoon!" My dad backed away, hearing Namjoon's deep yelling, the smile slowly reappearing on his handsome face when he saw his sprinting son nearing our spot.
"If only he ran half as fast during training. I've never seen him move so quickly before." My father mocked, low enough for me to hear as he crossed his arms, watching Namjoon getting closer with a slight smirk on his face. I observed him as well. I knew my dad was only kidding.
I laughed too. I could see his point. It was clear as water. Whenever my brother was home, it always included minimal movement unless a stocked fridge was involved.
"Namjoon!" I shouted, jumping on him as well before he lifted me up from the ground, swirling me around like I was five year old. Opposite our father, Namjoon was full of grins and smiles, no tears erupting or threatening to appear.
He eyed me up and down, his eyes widening in the process.
"When did you get so pretty?" He winked at me in a teasing manner, giving me another needed hug, I gladly returned.
I huffed at his comment, typical Namjoon. Punching his shoulder playfully, I stuck my tongue out, showing off my strong displeasure.
"You haven't changed a bit, huh? Still rude as ever." I joked squeezing his bicep in a friendly manner. If he wanted to play, we could totally play. Be prepared for failure, Kim Namjoon, I warn you I'm coming for you and it's not going to be a pleasing sight.
I turned my head, meeting my father's amused gaze. "Dad, I think you need to teach him a thing or two about respect because he obviously doesn't know the term. I thought the military would do him good." Getting a high-five from my dad, the complaining huffs and snorts from Namjoon got louder.
"You're such a daddy's girl." He grumbled into my ear, clearly unsatisfied about me having a little clique with our father. He looked beyond pissed but looks are deceiving. From experience I could tell he was anything but mad, a little annoyed yes but he could never be pissed at me. Never.
"Enough of you two." My father scolded, his brows wrinkled.
I was about to preach about how important it was for me to outline my rights in this matter when a husky voice behind Namjoon, stopped me in the process, forcing me to try to capture a view of the owner and when I finally did, I became unable to breath.
"Sorry to disturb your homecoming sir, but you forgot this on the buss." The deep voice explained, holding out his hand in order to hand over my father's wallet which he accepted gladly, patting the guy's hand thankfully.
My father beamed in happiness. I knew exactly why. A cherished photo of my mother was his dearest belonging and if he lost it, the consequences would be fatal. He could lose all his credit cards, money, passport, anything but as long as he could keep that picture safe, everything else was a minor detail. In my eyes, it made him even more amazing.
"Thank you, Jeon. It means the world to me." My father nodded, obviously meaning every single word. The guy, apparently called Jeon, nodded one time in response, his face kept its strong and somewhat cold expression.
I was too enrolled in studying the tall and broad man in front of me, I didn't even notice Namjoon's happy interruption.
"Jungkook, hey man! I thought you left without saying goodbye." Namjoon that bastard blocked my way and I internally groaned when he captured Jungkook in a quick hug, leaving my eyes unfinished with their business.
They chatted for a bit, oblivious to the presence of others until my father coughed, trying to get the guys' attention. Jungkook was the first to notice and bowed his head politely, excusing himself as he retracted his figure from Namjoon who was still blabbering about some guy back at the military base who allegedly made a fool out of himself, fixing a Jeep. It was first when he noticed Jungkook's silence he discovered something was off, turning around to meet our curious dad with a quirked brow.
He coughed himself, a little embarrassed. "Sorry about that." He faltered, scratching the back of his neck. As if he recalled something, his attitude changed.
"Oh, I don't think you've ever met my sister. Jungkook, this is my sister Hayoon. Hayoon this is my friend from the base, Jungkook." Stepping aside, he nodded in my direction and made room from Jungkook to step forward. He looked up, capturing my glance as my respiratory ruined my organs once again. Never had the color green looked so flawless and beyond perfection.
"A pleasure to meet you Hayoon, I'm Jeon Jungkook." Well, hello to you too.
I grabbed the hand he was offering and gave it a firm squeeze, just like my father taught me to do and by the slight impressed look on his face to judge he taught me good. Suddenly, I felt myself getting extremely self-conscious in his presence. Did my hair look like a bird nest? Did I have something on my face? Was my romper stained? Small stupid things I normally never considered when I was talking to other people. Right now was the complete opposite. I guess there's nothing called 'usual' anymore and especially not in the presence of the God resembling Jeon Jungkook.
He let go too soon and my hand fell down to my side, still feeling a little stingy from the impact of his soft big hand. It would be a lie if I said I didn't enjoy the enclosing warmth I received from his touch.
"Hi." I murmured lowly, my eyes never leaving his. Stunning. Amazing. I found myself getting lost in this stranger's deep brown hazel eyes which held so many unspoken emotions I could stare into their depths all night long, trying to figure out every secret they might hold captive. My eyes removed themselves reluctantly from his observing glare, to his sharp jawline, plump lips, straight nose and his built and muscular stature. He was just as tall as Namjoon, their bodies alike with the broadness and muscularity as the main difference. Several scenarios about how those firm arms could hold, embrace, and caress me started to form inside my head and before I could react my cheeks flushed bright red. I've never felt so thrilled, excited and guilty, obviously checking him out in front of my father and brother but what got me the most was the fact that he never once looked away from me. It might have been my evil consciousness but I was sure he was studying me the exact same way I studied him. Wishful thinking perhaps.
And just like that the little moment was gone. I hoped I didn't look too disappointed.
"Well, I think I should go now." Jungkook was now looking at my father, reaching out for his hand to shake. As if he was well-aware of my sinful thoughts seconds ago his eyes squeezed judgingly, eying the tall Jungkook up and down, probably not liking the idea of having another opponent to fight against.
"Sir." He nodded, turning his attention to Namjoon, a faint but distant smile showing. I hoped it wasn't my fault.
"Namjoon." He stated, hugging him shortly and then his eyes were focusing on me, making my stomach drop several times.
His Adam's apple bobbed up and down.
"Hayoon." The way he said my name made my insides melt right on the spot. Perhaps it was nothing special to normal people but I disagreed, in my ears I've never heard a more pleasing sound in my entire existence.
With that he turned around, disappearing into the large crowd of people but that didn't stop my searching eyes. An overwhelming feeling of sadness flowed around in my body, I guess it didn't go unnoticed.
"Sweetheart, are you ready to go home?" Looking up I saw my father's attentive expression. Did I really look that sulky?
"Mhmm. Let's go home." I mumbled lowly, a small smile stretching my face. With those words my hand was enclosed by my father's as he dragged me along gently. Namjoon was already ahead of us, cursing and throwing profanities against the large inconvenient sign in his hands.
All along, I caught myself glancing back from time to time to the exact same spot a certain polite guy had been minutes ago and every single time I hoped he would stand there and look right back at me.