Mafia | Renhyuck

Part 18: Baby Steps

Donghyuck's pencil scribbled across his paper and he vigorously erased at a mistake before continuing.

His math homework was easy but long and he was currently trying to use it as a distraction for his nerves. He had dozens of tests this week. It was as if the teachers had all coordinated to make his life a living hell.

"You seem pretty focused," a voice cut into his concentrated state and he looked up to see one of the members standing across from him at the kitchen counter. Jungwoo was holding a glass of a mystery liquid and Donghyuck didn't care enough to ask what it was. Possibly apple juice if he had to guess.

"Some math homework, I've got a quiz tomorrow so it's good practice," he explained and he watched as Jungwoo nodded understandingly before downing his glass and slamming it onto the counter. His eyes were wide as the blue-haired boy pointed at him.

"Listen, school never helped me okay? Don't let school control your mental or physical being kid, alright?" Jungwoo raised his eyebrows and Donghyuck nodded rapidly, earning a smile from the older mafia member. "Do you want pancakes?"

After Donghyuck confirmed that he did, in fact, want pancakes he turned back to finish his math homework as the other set to make the batter.

As soon as his pencil made the last mark on his work another boy waltzed into the kitchen.

"Hey Donghyuckie~" Ten walked into the kitchen and greeted him with a teasing tone. Donghyuck just raised his eyebrows at the older and rolled his eyes as Ten walked over to steal chocolate chips from the bag Jungwoo was using.

Donghyuck dragged out his next assignment: a hand-written English paragraph for his English Language and Composition class. He took out a useful vocabulary sheet and started to work.

The warm and comforting scent of pancakes filled the kitchen and Donghyuck smiled unconsciously. As he finished writing his introduction paragraph he heard a clank and watched as a plate of pancakes was pushed in front of him.

He looked up to see Jungwoo and Ten smiling at him, each with a pancake of their own in their hands.
After thanking Jungwoo profusely the two members left, leaving Donghyuck alone to eat his pancakes before continuing to write his essay.

Just as he was about to start writing again another member flitted into the kitchen and Donghyuck watched as Johnny's tall frame crossed the kitchen towards the expensive cappuccino maker.

Donghyuck internally groaned as the smell of coffee filled the kitchen but he went back to his work. He heard Johnny moving around in the background and wrote around two more sentences for his second paragraph before he was interrupted with his second clack of the day. He saw, with extreme pleasure, that Johnny placed a latte in front of him.

"Keep up the good work kid," Johnny ruffled his hair before moving out of the kitchen. Donghyuck smiled and happily moved the cup closer to him so he could reach it easier.

Fifty minutes and a cup of coffee later, Donghyuck had finished his English essay and smacked his head against the counter.

"You'll hurt yourself if you keep going that," an amused voice chuckled and Donghyuck lifted his head, turning in his seat to see Yukhei leaning against the door frame.

"Oh hey Yukhei," he smiled tiredly, his brain completely fried from the work and he frowned when he realized he still had more to do.

"School work?" The taller boy questioned and Donghyuck shook his head in confirmation, shoving his English work back into his bag and dragging out his chemistry textbook along with his notebook so he could write out the problems.