𝓜𝔂 𝓑𝓲𝓰 𝓑𝓻𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 ■ 𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐙 𝐚𝐮

𝓣𝔀𝓸

buzz...buzz...buzz

Yeosang groaned as his hand flopped out lazily to switch the alarm he had set, off. He patted the bedside table situated next to him until his hand hit the old, rusty alarm clock, switching it off. Once the noise was gone, he slipped his arm back under the covers and snuggled back down again.

"Shit!"

He shot up, eyes wide but riddled with sleep as he rushed out of his bed, quickly pulling on his work clothes. "Hongjoongie-hyung! Wake up, we're going to work!" He shouted from where he was in the bathroom, brushing his teeth.

Once he got no reply, he poked his small head around the door frame to check on his brother. "Hongjoong?" He questioned. Still no reply.

Yeosang rushed over to the elder's bed to see if he was asleep still, only to panic once he realised he wasn't there.

"Fuck" He whispered as he went to spit out the toothpaste in the bathroom and darting downstairs to find his misplaced brother. First, he looked in the kitchen. The other was frequently in there, removing the pans from the cupboards and sliding his small body in them for some reason. "Joongie? Where'd you go?" If this little game of 'hide and seek' continued, then he was going to be late for work, and depending on who was in today, it was either going to be not so bad or really bad.

"Shit" A squeaky voice rattled out from the lounge. Yeosang paused as he realised that he had been cursing a lot, not remembering the boy picks up words that he hears. Making a mad dash to the lounge, he shouted. "No Hongjoong, we do not swear or it'll be a time out" The older looked up at his brother as he made his way around the room, glancing at all the pictures that were hung up.

Yeosang sighed as he realised what he said went in through one ear and out the other. "Okay Hongjoong, you stay here and I'll be right back okay?" Yeosang was tired already and it had only been 15 minutes since he had woken up. Without waiting for a reply, he ran back up the creaky stairs and into their room, picking out an outfit for him and his brother, quickly getting dressed himself. Instead of brushing his fluffy brown hair, he just fluffed it up further with his hand. The old women at the café found it endearing, so why not just leave it?

Not even 5 minutes later, he was racing down the stairs and wrestling some clothes onto his small brother's body and grabbed his phone, making sure it was fully charged before grabbing both of their school bags as well as Hongjoongs hand. Together they made their way out of the dirty house and was on the way to work.

The walk was never too long as it was quite early. 5:00 AM to be exact. School starts at 9, so they had plenty of time to open the café and serve the early bird customers. Thankfully the café was only a 10-minute walk, then a further 8 to school from there.

Hongjoong obviously didn't work, Yeosang only deposited the shorter into a chair near the till and gave him paper and crayons to keep him distracted. Usually, it worked, but sometimes it didn't.

"Morning Mrs Woo" Yeosang respectfully bowed to the owner once he walked through the door, pulling along his smiling brother.

"Good morning dear, and good morning to you Hongjoong sweetie" She replied. Mrs Woo was the main owner, but her husband sometimes ran the place in her absence. She was much nicer than him and actually liked having the two brothers there. Today was Friday, meaning it was her day to be in.

Yeosang nudged Hongjoong when he didn't answer. "Hyung, say 'good morning' please" The blond-haired boy turned to his brother and looked up to meet his eyes. "Morin" He said to his brother, causing Yeosang to huff.

Mrs Woo only chuckled in amusement, not at all offended as she knew the boy and his situation. "Hey Hongjoong, would you like a nice cookie?" She questioned, trying to get the boy off of Yeosang who needed to work. Hongjoongs head shot up at the offer of a cookie and looked at the woman with pleading eyes. "What do we say then, honey?"

"peas?"

The old woman quickly gave in when she saw the expression, settling the boy in his usual area and brining over a chocolate chip cookie for him to munch on. This gave Yeosang the opportunity to get to work, setting up all the tables and sorting out the coffee machines. One day, he promises that he would get him and Hongjoong out of the shit hole they live in now and give him a comfortable life. That's why he works so much.

Yeosang continued pottering about as he kept a watchful eye on his brother, luckily Mrs Woo had decided to sit next to him and, at least try to engage in some kind of conversation with the boy. He smiled as he saw the overly animated expressions the dear old lady was using whilst sipping her coffee and chatting.

The bell on top of the door broke him out of his trance. Looking up he saw it was one of his best friends, Jeong Yunho.

"Hey man," Yeosang beamed up, happy to see him.

"Hey Yeosang" Yunho gave a puppy smile, the two quickly falling into quiet chatter. The next thing Yunho knew, his large frame was being attacked. Small shouts began to echo around the almost empty café.

"Yun, Yun, Yun!" Small arms were wrapped around his waist and a face was harshly shoved up against his back. Yunho decided to play.

With a smile, he said. "Hmm, who's that I wonder?" Tapping his chin in thought. Giggles were heard behind him as Yeosang watched on fondly. He was relieved that at least one of his friends were willing to help out.

Last year, Yeosang had done all of the caretaking for his brother and none of his friends had actually known about Hongjoong. He made sure not to talk about him or to him at school, only taking care of him at home. Yeosang even went to school earlier than most to quickly drop his brother off so no one would know.

That worked until Yeosang had worked himself thin and had passed out whilst picking his brother up from school, standing and waiting for him to come out. Hongjoong had seen his brother fall and ran up to him, shaking his thin form to wake him up. When he didn't awaken, he walked away.

Yunho and Mingi were the ones that found him. Yunho had been concerned for his closest friend since the day started. He had been swaying constantly, eyes fluttering. So, he followed, dragging Mingi along as well. That was when he saw him on the floor, passed out. He and Mingi picked him up and took him to their car, where he woke up in a panic, calling out for his brother.

Which was how the rest of them found out. Some were willing to help whist some still thought the older boy was weird.

Yeosang shook his head, getting rid of the negative thoughts of the past when things were harder than they are now. He paid attention to the two in front of him. Somehow Hongjoong was trying to climb up Yunho's tall and built frame. He quickly shot his hands out.

"No hyung. We don't do that to people" He stammered out, hands grasping onto his brother's arms, untangling them from the grip they had around his friend, face reddening in embarrassment.

"Yeosang-ah, it's fine" Yunho quickly reassured, not having a problem with the tiny, older boy playing around. "Anyway, your shifts over now" Hongjoong let go after being pried off and wandered over to the seat he was at, grabbing his picture, Yunho following to collect the boys colouring pencils being used to this routine already.

Damn, 3 and a half hours go by fast when you are up in your head.

Removing his apron and hanging it up, he quickly bid the old woman goodbye and grabbed his brother's hand, walking to Yunho's car, ready to go to school.