Chapter Text
"Are you really sure you don't need someone to take care of you? I mean, look at you struggling to feed yourself with just one hand".
Jeonghan looked at his friend, Mingyu. A worried expression was plastered all over his handsome face. He was frowning a bit, genuinely concern with his friend and Jeonghan felt a little tug on his heart, seeing him like that.
Growing up, Jeonghan never thought of depending his life to someone. His childhood was kinda rough and it opened his eyes to the idea that in this world, nothing will last long. He was so young when he learned that nothing is constant. Nothing is permanent rather than change, and that nothing stays, no one stays.
He was four when he first have his dog. It was a puppy gifted by his father during his first day in pre-school to cheer him up, and he named him Jojo, a brown golden retriever who was very energetic and clingy. The little friend somehow managed to immediately enter Jeonghan's life and he became attached to him so quick.
Everyday, before he leaves for school, he'll kiss Jojo a goodbye, telling him to wait for him until he comes back. And as if the dog understands him, he'll find him on the doorway as he opens the door, sitting cutely as he wiggle his tail, waiting for him to approach him and cuddle him with kisses.
Every morning as he wakes up, he'll find Jojo on his bed, playfully biting his pajama, as if waking him up. When he eats, Jojo eats too. When he watch the television, Jojo's beside him watching too. Before he sleeps, he'll give Jojo a goodnight kiss or even cuddle him to sleep.
It became a routine that Jeonghan got used to. The things he do with Jojo becomes something he always looks forward every time he opens his eyes. Funny how the first thing he thought as he wakes up was the little fluffy ball of sunshine, not foods, not games, not school, it's always Jojo.
Jojo's his first bestfriend and he couldn't imagine living without him. Things were doing fine, well not until his ball of sunshine started to lose his shine. Jojo became lethargic and he often vomits. He refused to play with him anymore and it made him sad.
It was a cold rainy night when little Jeonghan woke up with the noises coming from downstairs. Curious as to what's happening, he got off the bed and went out of his room. As he approach the source of the noise, that's when he heard the panicking voice of his parents, and Jojo growling in pain. He wanted to run and hug his little friend but his parents told him not to, so he just sat at the end of the staircase, sobbing loudly.
He was seven when he lost Jojo and things were never the same anymore. There's no more fluffy dog wiggling his tail as he waits for him to give him a goodbye kiss before leaving for school, no more ball of sunshine who waits for him on the doorway, no more playtime with his bestfriend, no more cuddle time with Jojo, and it broke little Jeonghan's heart.
It's a habit to be awoken by Jojo's soft noises and playful bites on his pajamas, but now all he has was his alarm clock. It's a habit to cuddle with Jojo every time he couldn't sleep, but now all he has was his cold pillow.
He was seven when he first realized that nothing is constant, nothing will stay, they will soon leave.
He was eight when his parents told him they're leaving and it's not a usual business trip where they'll be gone for three days or a week. He was told that his father received a good offer for his small business in states and thus it required him to move there. His young mind couldn't take it clearly, but his first instinct was to tell his parents he'll come with them.
How unfortunate it is but his mother refused, saying it won't be easy since he has school. Aside from that, no one's gonna look after him because both of his parents would be busy handling their business and so it would be better if he stays in Seoul, under the care of his grandmother. He beg for them to take him, but in the end, they left without him.
It doesn't took too long before he adjusted with his new life, a new life without his parents beside him but his grandmother. Every night, his mom would call him asking how's his day which will turn into a little catch up and chattering, his dad sometimes joining. He settled with that, talking to his parents over the phone, not in person because they were miles away.
On a brighter note, he grew closer to his grandmother, and oh he got attached too. The lovely woman was so kind and caring, giving Jeonghan lots of affection. The old lady was so fond of her grandson, spoiling him and giving him everything that would make him happy. She felt bad for him after his parents migrated, thus she did everything just to fulfill the empty space his parents left, the space longing for love and affection.
But ofcourse nothing comes in constant, and for the third time Jeonghan lose someone again. He was 18 when his grandmother passed away.
Poor boy could only cry his heart out, finding everything difficult to sink in. He was badly hurt, everything was too much.
The pain of losing was there again, the miserable pain that burns his insides. He felt like suffocating, he felt so empty, he felt numb. Once again, someone left him.
And so he was 18 when he finally accepted that he should stop depending his life to someone, because at the end of the day, they will not stay.
He was 19 when he started doing things on his own, learning to live alone and trying to stand up on his own feet.
He was 24 when he finally stood up with his own feet, and stopped accepting help from his parents. He established a restaurant with his newly found friends who managed to slip themselves into Jeonghan's life.
One of them was Joshua Hong, a transferee student from states who became Jeonghan's classmate in few of his classes. The guy was struggling with his Korean as well as with their korean subjects and asked Jeonghan for help, to which he refused. But then the guy was so persistent and in the end, he became not only his tutor but also his bestfriend.
The other one's Mingyu Kim, a clumsy junior whom he met after moving to an apartment with Joshua. They were looking for another roommate since there's an available bed and Mingyu was the one who took the space. With how loud and energetic the kid is, it's no surprising at all that he managed to became friends with the two older guys, as well as to enter Jeonghan's life.
Jeonghan would be honest that he was hesitant at first whether to accept the two or not. But he somehow let them in, and just prepared himself for the time to come wherein the two needs to leave as well. He accepts them, but leaves a line that he shouldn't cross, a line reminding him that he shouldn't be attached with them.
Mingyu's a great cook, minus the clumsiness and Joshua's smart in terms of business. Jeonghan on the other hand have been dreaming of establishing a diner. It was a dream he and his grandmother have been wanting ever since.
Thus when the three of them graduated in college, they immediately started their little business. With a little help from their parents, they successfully established a restaurant in Seoul, to which became famous over the years.
Now the three of them were successful restaurant owners, their restaurant being well-known and recognized by many with numerous branches all over South Korea.
A snap pulled out Jeonghan from his trip to memory lane and brought him back to reality.
Mingyu snapped his fingers once again, this time Jeonghan finally looked at him.
"Oh god are you really sure that you're okay? You just spaced out, is something bothering you? Come on, tell me, maybe I can help."
Jeonghan chuckled, feeling touched with his friend's sincerity and genuine concern. But he doesn't like that, he hates burdening someone because of him.
"I'm really fine Mingyu. I just broke my arm, I'm still breathing, chill", he joked.
Mingyu scoffed, not liking what he said.
"Hyung how could you casually say you just broke your arm? You broke your arm! It's not something you should label as 'just', it's something serious for pete's sake! You freaking broke your arm!", he exclaimed, a bit frustrated but more of worried over his friend.
Some of the customers looked at them hearing Mingyu, and Jeonghan have to look at them apologetically before looking back at his friend who seemed to doesn't care about the weird gazes they're receiving from the customers.
"Mingyu calm down. I really do believe Shuji when he told me you're the most dramatic among the three of us", he mumbled earning a wide eye from the younger.
"He said that?", he asked dramatically and Jeonghan giggled.
"And you are surprised by that? Look at you overreacting again", he teased making the younger to scoff.
"Whatever, just make sure you'll take care of yourself since your pride won't let me and Jisoo hyung to take care of you", he said rolling his eyes, emphasizing the word pride.
Jeonghan chuckled, finishing his food and accepting the cup of water Mingyu offered him.
"I seriously don't need help Gyu. I don't need anyone to do it for me, I can take care of myself", he uttered after wiping his mouth with a tissue.
Mingyu just shrugged. "Alright, if you say so".
---
It's been two days since his conversation with Mingyu and oh, how he wished he could take back his last words. Because clearly, he couldn't take care of his self, alone.
He couldn't even cook himself a ramen, since he was so used with using both of his hands. He almost burnt himself when he attempted to cook and so he gave up and ended up calling for a food delivery.
And even though Jeonghan's a neat and tidy person, he couldn't do anything with his messy unit. Tissues were everywhere, his laundries scattered on the couch, his floor was dirty, his whole unit was a total mess.
It's just that, aside from struggling from moving with just one hand, he suddenly became lazy to do stuffs. He will just get frustrated with himself for messing things anyway so instead of doing something, he just laid on his bed or on his couch, watching movies, scrolling through his phone and ordering foods when he's hungry.
He'd be lying if he said that calling for his friends' help didn't crossed his mind because it does, so many times actually. He even began composing messages but then, he'll end up clearing those messages as he closes his phone.
Again, he doesn't want to be dependent on them. He would mentally remind himself that he could do it alone, that he should not burden them, that he could do things on his own. But even though he said those things a hundred of times, reality would slap him real hard.
No he can't do it alone and no, he can't do things on his own, well not on this time atleast because as to what Mingyu said, he freaking broke his arm.
Today, Jeonghan finally had the courage to go out of his unit and eat outside. He's craving for pasta and thought of going to the newly opened Italian restaurant few blocks away from his unit. But then as he entered the place, he realized he doesn't have the courage to eat there alone. Eating with one hand was already difficult, and it would be more awkward if he receives weird glares from the customers with his casted left arm.
He's not yet even entering the place but he's already receiving curious and nosy gazes. Sighing, he turned around and took his leave as he picks up a cab, telling the driver to take him to the mall instead.
Jeonghan decided he'll just buy his necessities since he's running out back in his unit, specially his toiletries, he's already in the mall though. Once finished, he pushed his cart thinking of getting snacks as well for the movie marathon he's planning later.
He was busy eyeing what snacks should he pick when he noticed a familiar guy placing meats on his cart, not so far from him. The guy was just in his casual clothes, a simple white shirt and jeans yet he still looks attractive. Jeonghan even saw some ladies passing by looking at him, some giggling. Normally, he'd see him in formal attire, if not wearing suit, he's wearing long sleeves and ties. He's a businessman afterall, a CEO to be specific.
Their eyes met and both of them immediately smiles at each other.
"Jeonghan hyung!", he called him happily, his eye smiling along with his lips.
"Hello there Seokmin-ah!", he greeted back.
He went near him and immediately noticed Jeonghan's casted arm.
"Oh no hyung, what happened?", he asked genuinely concerned.
"Ahh, I slipped in the restaurant's kitchen the other day and broke my arm. The doctor said it's not that serious but it's still needed to be casted to avoid unnecessary movements", he explained before shrugging. "Nothing to worry about".
Seokmin seemed unconvinced. "Are you sure it's not that serious?", he asked and the older nods his head.
"Yeah, by the way what are you doing here? You don't have work today?", he asked opening a new topic.
"I took a day off today hyung, I decided to buy some ingredients since I'll be cooking for a special someone tonight", he answered with a sweet smile, cheeks a little flushed.
Jeonghan, though feeling glad knowing that the younger already have a special someone, couldn't be completely happy. He was much aware how his bestfriend Joshua was head over heels to Seokmin.
His bestfriend even often visits him in his unit as an excuse to see Seokmin who lives in the same apartment building, just below Jeonghan's floor. He witnessed how Joshua would go in all smiles every time he catches a glimpse of the younger and how enthusiastic he is telling him about the little conversation he and Seokmin had inside the elevator.
"Oh, you're dating someone?", he asked.
Seokmin hummed in response.
"Like about two weeks ago hyung"
Jeonghan gave him a small but genuine smile. Poor Joshua, his crush is dating someone already.
Seokmin offered Jeonghan a ride home since they have the same destination and the older gladly took the offer. He told him to wait for a bit since he forgot to buy something and promised he'd be quick. Jeonghan told him to take his time, saying he's not in a rush. Seokmin nods, smiling apologetically before going back inside the mall.
While waiting, he took out his phone and began typing a message, smiling sheepishly as he saw his friend online.
Hannie:
Shuji guess who I am with right now!
Shuji:
Obviously none, you've been locking yourself ever since you broke your arm. Seriously, what's with your pride that you refused for us to help you.
Jeonghan giggled. He was so sure his bestfriend was rolling his eyes as he typed his reply.
Hannie:
Enk! Wrong answer! Bold of you to assume that I'm inside my unit. Huh! I went to the mall!
Shuji:
The fuck are you doing there? Do you want me to pick you up?
Hannie:
Chill your ass geez. I bought some necessities, and someone offered me a ride already. Guess who!
Shuji:
Your sugar daddy?
Hannie:
Jisoo wtf! I don't have a sugar daddy!
Shuji:
Lol, just making sure. Who knows right?
Hannie:
Bitch! But anyways, seems like you don't have any plans on guessing so I'll just tell you. Drum rolls please!
Shuji:
Jeonghan I don't have the time of my life to entertain you. I'm a busy person can't you see? The restaurant's packed today.
Hannie:
Psh! What a bummer. But anyways, I'm with Seokmin!
Shuji:
Seokmin? You mean Seokmin Lee? My sweet, pretty, hot, buff, handsome sunshine? The CEO of my life? My potential and future sugar daddy? You are with him? WHY ARE YOU WITH HIM?!!!
Hannie:
Omg chill. I thought you're busy?
Shuji:
Forget about me being busy. Why are you with my man!
Hannie:
He's not your man! And I told you already, he offered me a ride home. Oh he's here already, bye loser!
He saw Seokmin approaching the car so he planned to turned off his phone. But before he could turn it off, he saw Joshua's message which makes him giggled.
Shuji:
Don't you dare do anything stupid Yoon Jeonghan! What mine is mine! Or else I'll put both of your hands in cast!
"I'm sorry for making you wait hyung", Seokmin apologized as he entered the car.
The older assured him it's fine and so the younger started driving.
Seokmin offered to accompany him towards his unit to help him carry the things he bought but he refused, telling him he would be fine by himself. The younger was hesitant at first but Jeonghan reassured him that he could go by himself.
But once he reached his respected floor and walked towarss his unit, that's when he realized he actually needs help.
He was carrying two plastic bags and putting them on the floor might be a bad idea since the items might scatter on the floor. It would trouble him more if it happens, he could even imagine the struggles of picking the items one by one.
However, he needs to enter his passcode to open his unit and that is why he's struggling right now. He tried entering his pass code but he keeps on hitting the wrong button and so he grew out frustrated.
He's in the middle of his dilemma when he felt a presence beside him, and not long after, Jeonghan heard a familiar deep voice.
"Need a hand?"