Our Little Lives, in this Big World

AUGUST: (what once was) Always Yours, PART II

AUGUST 28: Mingyu's first day at 'Angel Cafe' starts off with a bumpy morning...

- Chan/Dino, DK, and Hoshi *tries* to study in the library...

- Memories of Minghao and Jun's last days together in high school play out...

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AUGUST 28, MONDAY, 05:45

This morning, Mingyu wakes up well rested and ready to take back control of his life. He will have a great first day of his new coffee career which will result in a good week and bring him that much closer to growing into a stronger, more independent version of himself. And, he will do all this without thinking of Wonwoo every waking minute. He has to. He has accepted his feelings long ago along with how unrequited they deemed to be soon after. This new job, as simple as it may sound, is a big step for Mingyu and one he does not take lightly. In the high of a new beginning, he has decided to move on and wean himself off that deep-rooted dependency. Today, Mingyu will grab control of that compass and will steer it in the right direction.

In the bathroom, Mingyu repeats these things to himself over and over again, feeling more stronger and determined each time. Then he notices something, something he should have thought about the minute he got a new job.

Fuck... Should I have cut my hair?

It has been over a year since his last haircut, and it shows. What used to be a clean, stylish kind of bowl cut has grown shaggy, and he has long gotten used to it falling in his face as it pleases.

But my boss has long hair, too. Wait, does he even work behind the counter? But that's besides the point because he's the boss, therefore he can do whatever he wants, right? Yeah, that's how being a boss is. But he didn't say anything about my hair when he hired me... Or, what if it was such an obvious thing to be done to where he didn't think it needed to be mentioned?

Self doubt pulling him down from that small burst of confidence drags at Mingyu's feet as he leaves the bathroom and goes down the stairs. A delicious aroma at five in the morning shocks his nose, sparking a domino effect of a fluttering heart, excitement, then internal beratement to remind him of his new goal.

"Why are you up?"

"Morning." Wonwoo doesn't turn around, but continues focusing on the eggs and bacon sizzling in the pan. "Thought I'd make you breakfast."

Mingyu lets out a huff and leans against the counter, "I don't need you making me breakfast this early in the morning, Wonwoo. What's the point in being up so early when you should be resting before a long day of lectures?"

Wonwoo turns around, startled,"I don't mind, Gyu, I was going to be getting up at eight-thirty, anyways."

"That's in almost two hours, which is still considerably early. It's dumb to be up this early if you don't need to be." Wonwoo's pained expression makes Mingyu feel worse, but he knows he must keep a strong face. "Besides, apparently I'm going to be trying a lot of drinks today so I didn't want to eat anything too heavy. I should probably get used to not eating so much in the morning since I'll be on the go from here on out." Mingyu has to blink a couple times because, if his eyes dare deceit him, something bashful presses Wonwoo's lips into a firm line. It's then when Mingyu catches an inkling of the guy's agenda. "Don't tell me you were actually planning on waking up this early to make me breakfast...?"

"Well–" Wonwoo's words stumble a bit, something that does not often happen, and Mingyu wants to stomp on his heart for skipping because of it. "Well, I don't mind–"

"No. That's ridiculous."

"It's not, really–"

"Wonwoo," Mingyu takes a much needed breath for what he's about to say, "I'm not some kid you need to take care of. I can do things on my own. Please, just..." He shakes his head with the quick frustration heating his blood. What words could he say to explain to Wonwoo that he needs him to stop doing things like this for him, because it makes it all the more harder to get over him? How does he say that without exposing his feelings? It is confusing and something he is reluctant to face, which is probably why agitation leaked so easily into his voice that releases an icy silence between them. "Just stop." He finally says.