'West was the Dream.' Geonhak x Reader

Chapter 1 - Beginning of Summer

'Alright, I need a group of men to help me herd my cattle and tend to crops for the summer. I can provide a bed and a hot meal for each man that volunteers.'

'What's the pay.' Another man yells.

'You will be paid fairly, now, who's comin with. I need five men.' A very small crowd gathers, each volunteer shaking hands of the employer and jumping onto the wagon.

This young man overheard and walked over to the wagon as well. He was very new to the area, no home, no job, not nearly enough money for his bread. In this world the boy had little to his name.

'I would like to help sir.'

'Sorry, wagons full. You seem a bit young anyway. Maybe next season, if you come back with some muscle and meat on your bones.'

'Please sir, I am strong though I don't much look it. I am more than willing to help.'

'I said the wagon is full.'

'Eh you know what I think the boy should come along, he can have my spot no problem. Let the boy get his fill of hard labor on a ranch.' One man says, climbing off the wagon.

'Well... yuh heard ~im, get on boy.' He shakes the young mans hand and hops on to the front to lead the horses.

'Thank you sir.' He fits himself into the space left for him, between two large burly men. Three men of the total were old and well experienced, gruff and dirty faces, beards nearly as dirty. It was the look regularly sought out that showed them capable of doing the job.

He and one other man were younger than the rest, still yet to make their living and earn their own land. No homestead of their own and no history.

The wagon jostled over the dry grassland and dirt mounds, the sun came down hot on their shoulders. The travel was about twenty minutes out onto the prarie fields until they made it to the land.

Two women came out of the cabin to greet them. They all introduced themselves and shook each hand, one man in particular stood out to the daughter.

The mother welcomed them.
'Nice to have you all here to help my husband tend to our acres, I apologize if the housing isn't as expected but our barn is where you'll be staying.'

'That seems like a fine place ma'am, seeing as you could only take on five workers I would not expect anything fancy but we are here to help.' A tall man says tipping his hat.

'This is my daughter y/n, she and I will make sure you all get the hospitality you deserve as you stay here for the season and will help any way we can.' The mother says, her daughter bowing her head with gratitude.

'What a darlin, nice to meet you miss.' One of the volunteers chimes in.

'Alright I will show you to the barn so you can all get settled, you will be staying on the top level above the horses. Mary, bring some blankets for us.'

'Let me help you miss, I can carry the bedding too.' A young man offered to help the women and they accepted.

Carrying the items into the barn, one blanket for each lady and three carried by him, the young girl asks him for his name.

'Geonhak.'

'What a strange name, never heard that one around here before... or anywhere.'

'My parents came here from another country, I am new to this area and yes, I'm sure you won't find another name like mine.' He smiled at her, taking the last of the bedding from the womens hands and passing them up the ladder to the upper floor of the barn.

'Alright men, work starts at sun up and ends at sunset. See ya tommorrow.'

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'Y/n when you're done setting the table go and bring everyone in for breakfast.'

A table for all of the men was set outside to make room for so many bodies. Our family had planned to join the men for breakfast and make them 'feel at home' as my mom said.

I ran out the door of three room cabin and hit the triangle shaped metal bar to signal the food was ready.

One by one everyone came forward and sat onto the wooden bench. Our metal plates were set out and filled, biscuits and gravy with sausage.

I sat near the end by one of the men and across from my dad.

'The meal is delicious ma'am. Your husband is lucky.' One of the burly bearded men said, I have come to know him as Sam, he had a little extra weight showing he had the opportunity to eat well very often.

'Thank you. Me and my daughter made this first breakfast something special.'

As the elders conversed I stole a glance at the boy sitting to the right of my mom at the other corner of the opposite side. My glance turned into another glance and then gradually it became a habit to steal peeks at him. He didn't look like most men, he was clean and, in comparison, thinner. A guy that some ranchers around here would call 'weak' or 'unfit'. He may have introduced himself twice before but the first time I hadn't even been able to pay attention because of him, at least he told me his name again, Geonhak.

A few times he looked up from his... great focus on eating, and caught me looking at him. A quick look around and a second look to be sure I was actually looking his way. He smiled when he saw me, still chewing his food, mouth closed politely. He went back to his meal and I could see the tips of his ears turn red. No one noticed our little exchange.

'Alright I need you three strapping men to come with me and help with cattle. You can work on the horse stable and feeding, and you...' The land owner, and father, stops and points at Geonhak. 'You can work on the crops and help my girls with the animals when yur finished. Make sure you plant every seed, boy.'