Faded Sun| SunSun

[Chapter 27]

"Is Sunoo going to break up with me?"

"What? I don't know. Probably no-"

"Bye Mi-Sun."

Sunghoon cut the call, swiping to his next contact. The cold breeze swept through his hair, as he walked through the city. Finally back in Seoul, he had one question he needed answered. He stormed down the streets, on his way to somewhere very important, he had to work this out quickly.

"Hey what-"

"Is Sunoo going to break up with me?"

"No."

"Is that for definite?"

"Yes for definite."

"Okay thanks Heeseung."

Question answered.

He was about to do something big, something that he'd been thinking about for a while. If Sunoo was actually planning on breaking up with him, it's not like he wouldn't fight, he would just change his approach. This wouldn't work unless Sunoo wanted to be with him, and through everything that happened recently, it felt like the right time.

A bell jingled as Sunghoon walked through the door. Shutting it neatly behind him, the blonde wandered into the store with wide eyes. There was so much choice, it was a bit overwhelming. He felt like a fish out of water.

"Can I help you young man?" A smiley lady asked, her name tag read 'Choi Hyojung.' 

"Oh I was looking to get something for my boyfriend." Sunghoon said, approaching the glass counter. He stared down at the multitude of items, scanning the case for a few seconds, before pointing downwards. "Something like that."

"You seem a bit young for that sort of thing."

Sunghoon awkwardly chuckled at the comment. "Well it's nothing serious, just a gift."

"Ah I see." She nodded, pulling open the back of the display case. "I'm sure we can find something perfect for him. What does he like?"

"He likes pretty things, but nothing too flashy. It's better to be discreet with this, since he's gonna be- Uh he can't bring attention to it because of his job." 

Hyojung nodded again, dragging out two of the display items. There were so many little shiny things tucked into the display, Sunghoon had no idea how he was going to decide on one. 

"These have been really popular recently." She states, pulling one out and showing it to Sunghoon. "It's dainty, so good for discretion. Plus it's rather beautiful, don't you think?" 

Sunghoon gazes at the item, cocking his head slightly. It was nice, but it wasn't 'the one'.

"I guess not." Hyojung giggles, picking up on Sunghoon's uncertainty. She picks up another item, quite different to the previous. "This ones a bit thicker, and displays a gorgeous tourmaline. Less discreet, but still very pretty."

Yet again, this wasn't right. It was a pleasure to look at, but didn't feel personal enough.

"Have you got any idea of what you're looking for?" Hyojung asks, realizing that Sunghoon wasn't liking anything she picked out. 

"I don't really know, all I want is for it to represent us in a certain way. It's hard to explain." Sunghoon answered, noticing how the woman's expression filled with excitement.

"Don't worry I understand, and I think I know the perfect thing for you." Hyojung pushes aside the display cases, pulling over a company iPad. She swipes to the stores own website, clicking on a page labelled 'customs.' "If you're looking for something personal, you can design something for him. Have a look through these pictures from our clients who have done the same thing."

____

A sigh filled the empty back room, mixing with the swooshing sound of sweeping. The rough bristles dragged along the floor, gathering up dirt with no sense of purpose. Jay leaned against the wooden handle, giving up on this menial task. They weren't even piling up the dirt, only brushing it around the room anyway.

"Oi mopey, what's up with you?" Jay glanced to the door, where their mum was leaning against the door frame with crossed arms. "Aren't you meant to be back in Seoul already?"

"I can't go back yet, I'm having problems with Jungwon." Jay moans, placing the broom next to the lockers. 

Mrs Park shook her head. "Stop being so gloomy. If it makes you this upset, go and fix things."

"It's more complicated than that." Jay replied.

"Then tell me what's up?" The two made eye contact, with Jay clearly not wanting to talk about it. "Okay I get it, you wanna be miserable on your own. You're always welcome to stay, but you know the deal, you gotta work. None of this pitiful sweeping."

"Can you just let me off for today? It's been a tough morning." Jay groaned, looking to their mum pleadingly. 

"You're the one who decided to sweep." She scoffs in a playful manner. "Come on kiddo, cheer up. I'll get you a slice, then I'll expect your help with the lunch rush-"

"Mum, If the person you love starts to change, Is there anything you could do about it?" 

Mrs Park straightened her posture, shocked by Jay's serious tone. They had quite a fun-loving, and easy going relationship, it was rare to see this side of her child.

"It depends whether that change is good or bad. But even then you can only influence them, and that doesn't guarantee they won't continue changing."

Jay sighs. "So what does someone do if they don't like how they're changing?" 

"Normally they'll separate themselves from that person, letting them know that they don't like the person they've become." Mrs Park responded, knowing exactly what Jay was talking about. "Do you not like who Jungwon is anymore?"

Jay tensed up, letting out another sigh. Of course their mother knew they were talking about Jungwon, mothers always know these things.

"It's not that I don't like who he is. He's just different now a days, and it's not his fault. Not debuting has really affected him, he's extremely emotional, sometimes snappy, and keeps doing things I wouldn't expect him to do." Jay explained, you could hear how stressed they were about him from the tone of their voice. "I can't break up with him mum, I love him too much. I just don't know what to do."

"It sounds to me like he needs you more than ever." She states, glancing out at the restaurant, she can see the lunch rush beginning. She brings her gaze back to her child. "He's dealing with a lot, but keep in mind that this doesn't mean you have to deal with his actions. If it ever crosses the line into toxicity, it's better to cut ties with him. For now, just be there for him, and hopefully, he'll find his way out of this slump."

"Alright, thanks mum." 

"No problem kid, now lets get to work, it's getting hectic out there."

____

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