Stumbling Backward(JOOKYUN✔️)

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Changkyun is thankfully given Tuesday off upon his request. Jooheon had done a little extra explaining on Changkyun's part, as to why the younger wouldn't be able to work, and Hyunwoo had easily obliged. The blonde wonders for a few moments if the squirrely man that visits every week with his little briefcase has anything to do with Hyunwoo's more easy going attitude. He chooses not to pry this time however, knowing how closed off his boss tends to be.

So Changkyun takes his leave of Jooheon's apartment in his father's old sedan, not so concerned with his lack of license. He's a good driver, he knows that, he is more concerned with disappointing his father when he does drive. So he chooses not to think of it much as he turns on the funny GPS feature on his annoyingly intelligent phone and makes his way to Hyungwon. The sun is bright above him, making it a bit difficult to see with all the buildings glinting against his vision.

He makes it nonetheless, though he's sure he may have almost hit a few pedestrians along the way. He tries not to worry so much, as no police have stopped him thus far, and he surely can't have done anything too bad. Entering the home with his key, Changkyun announces loudly that he's arrived, expecting the usual jovial reply. Instead, Changkyun hears Hyungwon's panel speaking softly from his room.

"Hello best friend."

Changkyun smiles to himself, slipping his sneakers off and sliding into the puppy slippers left for him at the entrance. "Where did your mom go?" Changkyun shuffles through the house towards his best friend's bedroom, where the man rests in his bed propped up by his pillows and stuffed toys. Just one glance at Hyungwon's flushed cheeks and sweaty sheen, Changkyun realizes the older is sick.

Tapping away at the panel propped on his lap, Hyungwon's eyes drift every few moments in thought. "Store... to buy... sick food." Changkyun nods, understanding that she must be collecting soup and medicine for her son, so he doesn't question that any further.

He is a bit uncomfortable without Hyungwon's mom in the house, as she is always home, but he knows she will be back shortly so he tries not to let his worry show. "How was your week?" He asks gently, tugging the chair from the edge of Hyungwon's room and sitting himself at his friend's bedside.

The older shifts his head back and forth, his eyes moving with it. Changkyun interprets that as a can't complain, and nods in reply. "How did therapy go yesterday?"

Hyungwon frowns this time, turning his head completely toward his panel and avoiding Changkyun's eyes as he plods at the buttons. "No good. Dad cry... baby go."

Changkyun has to piece together what that means, but it only takes a few moments before the younger nods at his best friend. "They asked about your sister?" Hyungwon nods, a hand reaching for a plush toy at his side. It doesn't surprise Changkyun to hear that Hyungwon's father had cried, having taken the loss of their second child incredibly hard. Especially after having tried for so long to have another after Hyungwon. He is surprised however to hear that Hyungwon's father had gone with him to his therapy session.

Occupational therapy, on Saturdays, is usually his father's domain since he doesn't often work. But behavioral therapy on Mondays and physical every other Thursday is his mother's always. Switching it up isn't normal for the family, especially not with a son that needs his schedule. "Why did your dad go yesterday?" Hyungwon stares at his panel, words failing him here. He frowns at his best friend, upset that he can't communicate properly. Taking the panel from Hyungwon, the younger flips the panel to reveal the Hangul alphabet on the other side.

Tapping at the surface, Changkyun smiles up at his best friend. "I've been learning to read. Point to the characters and I'll try to figure it out." Hyungwon stares down at the characters, not sure he can trust that Changkyun's abilities are to his capacity, but he puts his faith in his best friend and begins pointing rapidly to characters- too fast for Changkyun's still learning mind.