are you ready to love? // jaywon ff

the secret

it's been 5 months since the pair had started working together. jungwon felt that it was finally time to tell jay the secret he has kept hidden from everyone in school as he trusted jay with all his heart. there was something comforting about jay's smile that made jungwon feel safe and secured. he felt like home.

the night shift felt longer than usual as jungwon brainstormed ways to let the words out of his mouth. the two were seated outside once again and ate their supper. jay ate scrumptiously while jungwon picked at his food, silently staring at the ground.

noticing something was off, jay questioned jungwon.

"hey, what's wrong?"
"it's...it's nothing"
"it's okay, you can tell me anything. i'm always here for you okay?"
after a moment of hesitation, jungwon finally spoke up.

"jay, have you ever wondered why i actually got a job? i mean.... isn't it obvious that i'm not here to pass time?" jungwon said as he stared into the older's deep eyes.

jay fiddled with his hands. he knew that jungwon was lying but the current situation made him feel slightly nervous and tensed.

"i just figured that you would tell me one day when you were ready." jay chose his words carefully as he tried not to cross the line.

jungwon looked down at the floor once again. he was afraid that jay would view him differently, but he knew that this was for the best. he couldn't continue keeping jay in the dark.

"i'm.... i'm actually poor. i live in a one room flat with my grandma. i'm the only she has and she's the only one i have too. both my parents work away from home and they barely earn enough to send any money back." jungwon said.

i did it

jay was frozen. he was taken aback by the news. jungwon was always so bright and happy in school, and had a positive attitude at work. though jay could see the weariness behind jungwon's smile as he laughed with his friends, he simply thought that he was in a bad mood and would be better the following day.

jungwon's face turned red and he cupped his head in his hands. he was so embarrassed but relieved at the same time since he no longer had to hide his horrible life from jay. tears rolled down his cheeks uncontrollably as he hid his face from jay.

suddenly, jungwon felt warmth against his face. looking up, he saw jay standing up beside him, wrapping him in a warm embrace as jungwon hunched in his chair. jay rubbed his hand on jungwon's neck, making jungwon feel comforted and safe.

"thank you for trusting me, jungwon. you're doing such a great job i'm so proud of you. everything will be okay" jay reassured jungwon with a warm tone in his voice.

"i should have told you earlier. sorry for keeping you in the dark. thank you jay...." jungwon muttered in jays chest. the two stayed still for the next 5 minutes and jay decided to walk jungwon to the bus stop before they parted ways.

it's my turn now...... jay thought to himself.