Jackson doesn't know how it happened, but he broke down crying. His anxiety have overwhelmed him and have broken him down into a vulnerable state, his own tears falling from his face and being planted on the floor that Hyungwon have mopped. The crystals becoming planted on the floor, and staining the floor as droplets of the rain.
He didn't know why he have broken down.
Maybe it was trauma. But, kind words seemed disturbing to him.
Surely, he has a nametag with his name, but he served so many people. Why did he stood out to one specific person?
Maybe it was the person flirting with him.
However, the gut twisting in him have sent him on edge due to such paranoia already planted in his mind.
"Jackson! What's wrong?" Wonho questions with concern, walking over to the other who have covered his face with shaken hands. Wonho looked at the note, furrowing his brows in confusion. He doesn't know what was wrong. He didn't know because he doesn't know about Jackson's horrible anxiety. Surely, the two are friends, but Wonho never spoke with Jackson personally or hear it from the others that Jackson is quite fragile.
Wonho have adapted to seeing Jackson happy and comfortable, he doesn't know how to react to the weak state of Jackson's.
Wonho silently comforted him, not wanting to make anything worse as he rubbed Jackson's back for comfort. He tried to calm him down by actions, as he was afraid to say anything wrong. Finally, Kihyun heard the cries from the kitchen and instantly came over. Kihyun have taken the role of taking care of Jackson, overall everyone, since Jinyoung have left just a few minutes ago with Yugyeom and Bambam.
Lets say he suffered with being the third wheel.
Personally, Kihyun and Jooheon were the only ones who knows about Jackson's problems. Both being told from Jackson himself, one day. Kihyun only warned the others that Jackson is sensitive, and try not say insensitive things whenever there was a drastic mood change. But, since Jooheon wasn't here due to leaving early from being hungover, Kihyun was the only one left to take care of Jackson.
He doesn't mind, at all. He dedicated his responsibility for the ones he love and truly care about. Since, Jinyoung wasn't here to aid, Kihyun have taken the full role of being the comforting figure that Jackson needed during his worse.
Wonho looked at Kihyun with worried eyes, mouthing 'I don't know what happened' to the motherly figure. Kihyun smiled at him reassuringly, and took Jackson by the shoulder and escorted him over to a stool of the marble counter. Jackson sat down, wiping his eyes, his crying finally dying down as Hyungwon looked at Wonho, glaring as Wonho have done something wrong. Instantly noticing his boyfriend's scolding look, Wonho held up his hands in defense, shaking his head as he wasn't at fault.
Kihyun have made a hot chocolate milk for Jackson, and put the cup right in front of Jackson. Kihyun took a stool in front of Jackson, and sat across from him, waiting for Jackson to calm down. Shownu heard and walked out, looking between the two, but he kept out of it as Kihyun will settle it. Shownu ordered Hyungwon and Wonho around therefore the two don't eavesdrop like idiots they are.
"Sorry..." Jackson says quietly, and Kihyun shook his head with a smile. "No need to apologize. I am here to listen if anything is bothering you," Kihyun comforts as he took a hold of Jackson's hand, squeezing it in a comforting way. Jackson smiled at him, glad to be under Kihyun's care.
Shownu have found the note, and stared at it for moments to process what was the matter. He have heard that Kihyun's warning about Jackson, and he respected Jackson being sensitive - he is the complete opposite, but he didn't mind. It gave him a reason to protect Jackson. However, he finally deciphered what was the problem, and felt the sudden shiver going down his spine as he crumbled up the note.
Customers don't do that. Unless, the two were close or if the person have talked with the employee.
But, Shownu was unsure, as he didn't see the person. He was busy doing his own job. However, he kept an eye on everyone since it was protective instincts. He noticed no one have spoke to Jackson at all, unless he was at the counter. That was completely normal.
So, why will there be a note thanking an employee when you didn't fully converse with the person? That is disturbing in many ways. Shownu knows someone can be shy, but it was weird. A person would normally wait to build up confidence to speak to their 'crush' not leave notes.
Unless, Shownu was a completely different person and he thinks otherwise. Surely, the person that have written the note was different in comparison.
Jackson have spoke with Kihyun about the suspicious customer, and Kihyun listened closely. Shownu have ended up standing beside Kihyun, listening to Jackson as he wanted to know if there was any threat in his cafe. Jackson didn't mind Shownu's presence, as he confessed his anxiety.
The anxiety that have made him feel lightheaded and sick throughout the day. Towards the end of the day, he have broken down because of it. He hated the fact that he had broken down, but no one judged him for it and instantly came to his aid, instead. He was grateful.
"If there is anything abnormal, we will keep an eye out, okay? For now, you can just give drinks around the tables than at the counter, okay?" Kihyun says, and Jackson nodded with a sigh. "Also, if you need a break, do so. We won't scold you. If there is anyone suspicious, Wonho and I can take care of it." Shownu states rather seriously, and it wasn't the monotone voice that Jackson hears usually from the other. He knew that Shownu seriously cared, and he takes the job as protector/guardian for all of them, seriously.
"Thank you..." Jackson smiled at them, feeling comfortable. Kihyun nodded with a smile, and Shownu smiled back. Jackson never felt this warm feeling inside, or the feeling of being comfy as though he stood in front of a fireplace, unless he is with Jinyoung or Jaebum. But, the Showki couple seemed to take effect on him, and he felt loved by a mother and father.
The couple were definitely something, and he was glad to have them in his life.
"We should start closing. Hyungwon, can you drive Jackson home?" Kihyun called out, and the tall male have emerged from the kitchen. "Sure." Hyungwon says as he take off his apron nametag, Wonho left the kitchen to join them. "Are you okay, Jackson?" He asks, the concern never fading from his chocolate eyes, and Jackson smiled at him.
"I am. Thank you for caring," Jackson says with a nod and took off his apron. Kihyun took his empty cup, and started washing it. The five left the cafe, Shownu locking it behind them as Kihyun lectured on Hyungwon.
"You better drive safely! No driving over the limit, do you understand me?" Kihyun lectures the taller, and Hyungwon blankly stared at him. "Yeah," Hyungwon states bluntly after Kihyun finished. Wonho laughed at Hyungwon's blunt response, and Kihyun rolls his eyes. "See you all tomorrow, get good night's sleep." Kihyun waved, and Shownu also bid his goodbye.
Jackson sat at the backseat of Hyungwon's car, and the three were singing along to random music on the radio. Bigbang blasted through the speakers, and it felt like a concert. Surely, Jackson felt like he was going to be deaf, any second. But, he enjoyed the moment, not caring if his eardrums will explode due to the blasting speakers behind him that vibrated under his weight.
"Bang, bang, bang!" Wonho shouts after rolling down the window, Jackson laughed at his silliness. The three were driving down the road of Jackson's neighborhood, and he swore that Wonho have woken up his neighbors. Hyungwon had to roll the window up, nearly choking Wonho with the glass window, but honestly he didn't care as he needed to calm his stupid boyfriend.
"You're so fucking dumb, what are you doing? It's fucking 9 p.m. for fuck's sake!" Hyungwon cursed at Wonho, and Jackson was laughing in the back while Wonho apologized to him, repeatedly. Finally, the three have pulled up at Jackson's home, and Wonho noticed the lights on, inside. "Jaebum must be waiting," Wonho chuckles and Jackson nodded while leaving the car.
"Thank you. I will see you guys, tomorrow." Jackson says, and Hyungwon nodded. "We are picking you up tomorrow," Hyungwon states and Jackson shook his head. "You-"
"No complaints. See you at 8, and you better get in the car, loser. We are going shopping," Hyungwon joked and Wonho's iconic laugh filled Jackson's ears, making him smile. Surprisingly, he got the reference. "Get going! You can't stop this car, we have a curfew," Wonho says rather loudly and honestly Jackson isn't sure if Wonho is naturally loud or is he screaming to wake up the neighbors.
Hyungwon scolded him again, and he bid his goodbye, finally. Jackson did also, laughing at their stupidity as they drove off. Jackson walked up to the door of his home, unlocking it as he opened it and walked inside. Taking off his shoes, he saw Jaebum on the couch, asleep while the television played as white nose, not disturbing him from his sleep, whatsoever.
Walking over, Jackson pecked his lips lightly, and Jaebum instantly woke up. "Hey, love. Why so late?" Jaebum mumbled out, his voice rough from sleep and Jackson smiled at his cute half-lidded eyes from sleep. "I had to work overtime." Jackson says truthfully, sitting beside him to catch up on things before going off to shower and go to bed.
"Why?" Jaebum questions, while wrapping his arms around his boyfriend, pulling him close as he kissed his head, lovingly. "I had a breakdown. But, its okay... Kihyun and Shownu helped me," Jackson says softly, while resting his head on Jaebum's chest. Listening to his lover's heartbeat, that seem to comfort him and lull him away from reality.
"What happened?" Jaebum asks, his voice now clear with worry.
Sighing, "It was just some customer that thanked me through a note. It was creepy... To me. It triggered my anxiety, but I am okay, now. I told Kihyun and Shownu, and the two said they will look out if anyone is suspicious. Shownu said he will do anything with Wonho to protect any of us." Jackson says tiredly, closing his eyes as he wanted to shut down for the day.
"Are you sure, you will be okay going to work, tomorrow?"
"Of course. Hyungwon is picking me up," Jackson seemed to fall asleep before getting ready to bed. Jaebum decided to let him sleep, as he seemed exhausted. He must have shed many tears to be this tired.
Jaebum reached over to the side table on the couch, and took his phone. He quickly texted Shownu and Kihyun.
JaeASS
Thank you for taking care of my Jackson :) also tell Shownu
Hamster
No need to thank me and Shownu. We will take action if anything happens <3 -Read
Jaebum have put away his phone, and sighed. He truly was thankful for having Kihyun and Shownu. Jinyoung was always friends with the best people, isn't he?
Little did Jaebum know, that Kihyun had Jaebum's contact as 'JaeASS' as a joke with Jinyoung.
~
you know what i haven't noticed
i didn't say thank you for all the reads and the votes sksksk
im such a bad author lmao
i hope you know that i do appreciate you guys, and i am really glad to have all this support :,)
But, thank you so much. I am glad that so many people enjoy this book, a lot.
also, i was going to update yesterday, but it was one of my family member's birthday so I had to go out and came home late lmao so i had no time also i was really tired, yesterday. i also got a flu shot, so my arm is like sore oof
and i know, the beanpole - Kim Yugyeom - birthday was yesterday. happy late birthday to him :,)
anyway, yeahhhhshshs thank you for the reads and votes as I am very grateful for them