#dhwopen

most of the time, joonwoo does extremely well with kids. in their eyes, he’s a fun guy to be around — energetic, witty, creative and oh, so patient. he isn’t anywhere close to being a stickler for rules, either; under his supervision, the island’s kids can get away with more than most would be so willing to allow. such as playing outside during the daycare’s nap time. but maybe he should learn to be just a little bit more firm, because that’s exactly why he’s in this situation; chasing down run-away bouncy balls, one child holding onto each hand. both looking quite close to tears.

“c’mon, guys! they couldn’t have gone very far, we’ll find ‘em!” he assures, but neither seem very pleased with him. in fact, the little boy on the left is just telling him that his mom had bought the toys from some very, very expensive store (even though joonwoo knows they’d both come from a cheap storefront vending machine, he just listens apologetically) when he sees a familiar face. he’s extremely thankful for that because his critical thinking skills tell him that, should the bouncy balls have fallen down into a storm drain (god forbid), these kids might just muster all their strength to beat him up. his odds are looking a little better now, though.

“hey!” he calls out, beaming at them despite his very clearly agitated tone. he half-runs, half-waddles towards them (he can only go so fast with toddlers in tow) and as soon as he’s within comfortable speaking distance, he begins. “you haven’t seen any bouncy balls rolling around, have you? i think they were.... blue... and red? yeah, blue and red. ‘bout the size of a dilated pupil, maybe. i’d make a circle with my fingers for reference, but... well, you know.”

mad hatter’s tea had been the perfect place to happen to donghwa-do for as long as he could remember. serving the best teas whether hot or cold or even what’s most popular these days ‘bubble tea’. within this little shop of wonders sits a bookshop right along with it. it was like a thirst he had to learn some new things, but he knew as well that he could count on the bookshop to offer what he needed for extra learning material needed for school. 

this particular day, dylan found himself wanting to add a new book to his ever growing collection. not as if his massive library in his home didn’t have things he needed already, but it was nice to purchase things he wanted with his own money and how relaxing the vibe of the shop was he wouldn’t be so hesitant to work here as well. though, he knew for certain that his father would never let him hear the end of it if he was caught having some kind of part-time job. as if that wasn’t normal for people to have ? what would he know when everything was given to him on a silver platter. 

just as his hand goes to reach for the book that had caught his eye as he was browsing along the ailses of the bookshop, another hand moved in the same direction, the two seemingly wanting the same item. “ ah... did you want this one too... ? ” he spoke, hoping the other would say no no matter how selfish that sound, though dylan knew himself well enough to know that if  that person had wanted the book badly he would just let them take it.