bite me once, shame on you. bite me twice...

lesson four: always be prepared

After everything that happened, Yongbok kept to himself for a bit. He went to classes, turned in his essay (received a 96, docked points for forgetting some of his citations), went to work. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Minho worried about him, Yongbok could tell. He wasn't sure what his brother expected of him. He either was too trusting or too reserved. There seemed to be no happy medium.

Yongbok didn't see Chan or any of the other strangers after that night, which he did consider a blessing. He thought they were nice people but it was better to not have to worry about letting his guard down.

On a night he yet again had the evening shift at the cafe, that changed. He was cleaning the floor, sweeping up straw wrappers and crumbs when the door opened. He leaned on the broom as he turned to see who it was.

Sick friend and guy who was helping sick friend.

"Hey, how can I help you two?" Yongbok set the broom aside and went back behind the counter, watching as they approached.

"Another hot chocolate please." The guy who resembled a puppy said, sliding over money.

"Get a snack too, hyung." Okay so the foxy guy was younger.

Yongbok waited patiently for them to finish the order.

"Fine. And a brownie, please." He gestured to the display case. Yongbok nodded and went to the case, using tongs to put a brownie on a square of yellow parchment paper and folding it up. He set that in a baggie, taking the money and handing back the change. Again, the other man put the change into the tip jar. Yongbok appreciated it.

"I'm Jeongin, by the way." The guy who Yongbok thought resembled a fox suddenly spoke as he set the drink down on the counter.

"Nice to properly meet you."

"And he's Seungmin. He's bad at introducing himself." Jeongin pointed to his companion. Yongbok smiled despite himself.

"How did your paper go?" Seungmin asked, sounding genuinely curious. Yongbok pulled a towel from his apron and wiped it over the counter, not that there was anything to clean.

"96 out of 100. Forgot some citations." Yongbok explained.

"What was it about?" Jeongin asked, glancing between Seungmin and Yongbok.

"Vampires in pop culture and how it harms perception of vampires in life." Yongbok answered, looking up from the counter to find Jeongin standing shockingly still.

"Really? Do you know many vampires?"

"Not personally."

"Then do you think you've really captured how pop culture harms vampire perception?" Jeongin leaned on the counter, eye level with Yongbok.

"Well. Probably not. Somewhat hard to get vampire opinions during the day." Yongbok murmured. He glanced up to see Seungmin and Jeongin exchange a completed series of looks, a whole conversation in only facial expressions.

"You know, I-" Jeongin started speaking, still leaning on the counter. Seungmin put his hand on Jeongin's shoulder, pulling him back. Yongbok got the distinct sense he shouldn't be here, despite it being his place of work.

"Innie-"

"He's going to-" Jeongin hissed as he faced his friend.

The door opened abruptly, Chan standing just inside.

"Boys, the others are getting impatient, did you get your-" Chan seemed to register Yongbok at the counter. "Oh. Hi. Yongbok, yeah?"

"Uh huh."