Flower Café - Jookyun

UNO - What's Wrong?

A bell jingled brightly as Jooheon opened the red-framed glass door to his workplace.

"HEY JOOHEON, JUST IN TIME!," Minhyuk yelled in his excitement. He flashed his signature grin and skipped over to hug the younger. Jooheon just stood there, not very amused. The usually cheerful features of his face were gone ; he was a completely different person. "Hey, what's wrong?," the snow-haired boy asked, noticing that his face was dusted with gloom.

Jooheon shook his head lightly from side to side. "It's nothing hyung... ," he reassured.

"If you're sure... ," Minhyuk questioned, hoping that Jooheon would change his mind and tell him all of his worries. He finally let go of the younger's body and walked over to a white-wood table in the corner of the widespread floor. It was filled with pictures of idols and artists that had visited the small-famous cafe, ranging from G-Dragon to even Mad Clown.

Jooheon followed after Minhyuk and sat on the plastic chairs surrounding the table with the older's gesture. Just as they were seated, a tall, buff, figure appeared out from the front door. It was Hyunwoo.

He smiled when he saw his best friends -- or in this case, his co workers, get up from their chairs to greet him. Hyunwoo looked over Jooheon, "he doesn't look too well," he thought to himself. Minhyuk shared a look with him, they both knew just by glancing at Jooheon that he was definitely not okay. They decided not to bring it up for a while, worried they might make his condition even worse than the current.

"So...," Minhyuk cleared his throat, trying to stir a pleasant atmosphere. It was quiet for a few seconds and before Minhyuk could say anything else, his cellphone rang. He looked at the contact and picked up. "Hello? Changkyun?" The mention of the youngest boy's name brought little puddles of life back to Jooheon's eyes. "Yeah, yeah he's here." Minhyuk handed his smartphone to Jooheon, who slowly held it up to his ear and said a quiet 'hello...'.

"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN? I'VE BEEN WORRIED SICK  CALLING YOU SINCE FRIDAY, I THOUGHT YOU RAN AWAY!," Jooheon heard a few sobs over the phone which filled him with guilt.

"I-i'm sorry..." Jooheon trailed off, thinking about how lonely his best friend must have been without anyone by his side in his isolated apartment.

    Changkyun sighed. "I would come in to work to see you today but I'm down with a fever..." He sniffled a few times, proving his ill state.

    Jooheon looked down at fresh coffee that was now in front of him, handed by Minhyuk with a questioning look. After realizing that he wouldn't get an answer, he pulled another chair over for Hyunwoo to sit, as he had been standing the whole time since his arrival. Hyunwoo took the seat and was handed a matching coffee to Jooheon's by Minhyuk, who then sat down on the chair next to his. They chatted quietly so as to not disturb Jooheon's call.

The chestnut-haired boy drew circles with his free hand's index finger on the fair slab before picking up the now cold cup of coffee in front of him and drinking it.

"Listen," he heard the younger say over the line, "After work, come to my apartment, talk to me. Just don't get too close, I can't have you getting sick too."

"Okay...," Jooheon almost whispered, but it was just enough for the other to make out.

"Bye hyung, I'll see you later."

"Bye...," He heard the line click and slipped the phone down from his ear, handing it to its owner who was still across the table, conversing lightly with lthe eldest.

It was after closing, the last customer said their thank you's and left the jingling of the bells ring through the ears of the three left behind. Minhyuk took out an overused rag to wipe down the white counter, its glistening surface left him content. He tossed the rag back into a wooden bin behind the counter and stretched his worn-out upper body.

    "Aish, I'm ready to pass out any minute." Minhyuk wiped the sweat off of his forehead and pulled out a chair. He was about to sit down when he remembered that his favorite tv show was going to air in around ten minutes. This was no time to be lollygagging. Hyunwoo and Jooheon watched the breathless man before them, they were both confused and amazed. How could he be so stupid, yet so full of determination at the same time?

"Minhyukie?" Hyunwoo placed his hand on the younger's shoulder, bending down a little to match Minhyuk's posture.

"No, it's okay, I'm okay," his breathing became slower. "I really need to go, can you guys close up?"

Hyunwoo worried for his friend's health, but he knew he couldn't get in the way of Minhyuk and his shows, so he removed his hand from the other's shoulder and helped him stand up properly. The two walked downstairs like this until Minhyuk insisted he was fine on his own. He clocked out and left the cafe with a cold ice tea. All while this was happening Jooheon had also left from the third floor, and made his way up to the rooftop terrace.

His arms rested on the bar that was supposedly safe as he looked out into the beautiful view of the city. The sunsets were very relaxing at this time of day ; not too rushed nor too lax.

Jooheon turned around when he heard the click-clack of heels on the wooden flooring.

    "Jooheon-ah, I'm closing up, so..." Hyunwoo said walking towards the boy.

    Jooheon nodded but went back to his original position. They both knew they wouldn't close up yet, the sunset was too breathtaking. Hyunwoo held a similar position to Jooheon and stared out into the vivid hues. They burst out here and there, almost like a painting, the artist felt these points significant.

The two would usually stay there for hours, until the sun fully dipped under the horizon, but Jooheon remembered his promise to go to Changkyun's house, immediately after work. He didn't want to waste any more time, so he got up from his position and told his boss he was clocking out.