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Having gotten out of work early, the owner's daughter had shown up and offered to take over for his last hour of work, resulted in him arriving at the bookstore early. He’d changed out of his work clothing before leaving the convenience store he worked at. The owners let him change in their back room or the bathroom, depending on if he was stripping down or not. Today he’d used the bathroom as he’s pulled on a black turtleneck and a pale blue hoodie, with black writing, on over it. It was cooler out today and looked like it would rain soon.

A black mask covered his nose and mouth, his allergies were again acting up due to pollen in the air, he wanted to keep his allergies to a minimum by keeping his nose and mouth covered. His hands in his pocket and a small bag tossed over his shoulder, with work clothing and phone in the bag. His earbuds were now dangling about his neck as he approached the book stores door.

Reaching out to the door handle he gave it a turn before stepping inside. The black boots he wore thudding on the wooden floor as he glanced about before calling out for Jessie. His voice, as usual, accented but his English had been getting better over the time he’d spent in the city.

Licking his bottom lip, an action hidden by his mask, he let his dark eyes wander about the book store. Bringing his right hand from his pocket he ran his fingers through his red streaked black hair, tucking a few strands of hair behind his ear.

“Jessie?” He called again, questioning, as he wondered where she was and if she needed help.



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Quinn stuck his head out around the corner of one of the bookcases and waved, “Hey Seung. Jessie ran out for some food she will be back in a bit. How was work?” The sandy haired young man ducked back around the bookcase only to come back around carrying a large stack of books. He had been going around the store and pulling any misplaced books as well as the orders that they got every day. It wasn’t a strange occurrence to spend the whole day just pulling order after order and getting them ready to be shipped out or picked up. “Class day today or you looking for anything in particular?”

He wouldn’t mind just hanging out with the fellow knight but if Seung was here looking for a book or was waiting to learn some more english from Jessie then he wouldn’t get in the way. They never really got to just hang without the nightly life crap cropping up. “How are the classes going by the way? Got any questions or something you want to ask that you don’t want to ask her?” Quinn kinda wondered if they had ever skewed into topics that might make the young man uncomfortable but would be leaving Jessie completely oblivious.



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Startled by the appearance of Quinn the darker haired male nodded once, while making his approach. “Good, early ending. Was normal.” Nothing made it better than the average day, but nothing bad had happened either. It had been a fairly boring day, as most were.

“Class day, maybe some books also…” Sometimes he did that, a class day turned into him also purchasing a book. He was trying to pick up more books in English to help himself. He had learned English back home, he’d had to, but it was just for an exam and nothing outside of that particular need. Everything they learned was geared toward that final exam that could make or break a student's life as an adult.

“Teaching Jessie Korean today.” Since he did learn some English from her, he took to learning from anyone and everyone he could in an effort to better himself as quickly as possible. He doubted he’d ever lose his accent, not that he wanted to, but he needed to work on the rest. It was one of many things he was working on, there was a pile of things which he was sitting atop of - trying to learn them all or improve upon them. It honestly seemed never ending and yet...who knew how much he was trying to do whilst trying to not lose sight of himself - to not kill Kim Seung and become someone else...Seung Kim.

“Class here is good...class in University...is hard. Classic British Literature.” He had taken a hard class, knowing it would be hard, but he hadn’t anticipated how hard it would be. English was an issue but classic British was even harder for him to her his tongue to work out.



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Quinn dumped his load on the front counter and started to sort them into separate stacks. “Yeah well I can understand that. It’s pretty hard not to walk out of here without a book.” He had gotten quite a collection of books himself since he started to work here but since his place was constrained by space it wasn’t nearly as many as he would have liked. “Nice. You teach her any bad words yet? Or you sticking to the normal s**t?” Of the few languages the young man knew most of the words were curse words or insults. He really did need to learn to hold a conversation in another language but it was more fun cussing someone out.

He winced in sympathy as Seung mentioned his english class. They were never his favorite to begin with, math was more his forte that and tech ed, but he could see how British Literature would be a real problem for the korean boy. “I don’t think even native speakers can fully understand Shakespeare let alone Chaucer and the other dead guys.” Quinn paused for a moment, absently tapping on a book as he thought.

“I think…” He trailed off and hummed softly, “Pretty sure at least that there are some middle english to english translation books or at least a Shakespeare to modern comparison book though not sure if there stocked here. We will have to ask Jess when she comes back. I swear that lady knows more about her books than anyone else in the world.” He shrugged and smiled before adding, “there is always online s**t too if you need it.”



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“Can translate it...to normal English?” He asked, sounding a bit surprised. He had not thought to look for such, and he had grown up practically with a keyboard at his fingertips. He came from a country that had the fastest internet in the world. But he had never looked up, had never thought of it, as he’d thought the only help he would get would be someone giving him all the answers rather than help him. He didn’t want answers he wanted help, so he could learn and figure it out on his own. He was trying to learn - not memorize things, a new concept for him really.

“Like literature….but going for different major, went for different major back home.” He had gone for something else but would be going for something else here? He had dropped back from going right to University when arriving here, due to language and the setbacks it meant. He had gone to a preparatory school till the end of the school year. Now, a year after arriving here he was back in university.

“Reading material is good….difficult for me.” And he didn’t really want to ask Terry for help...he wanted to do it on his own, he didn’t want to burden the other further.

Drifting down the aisle, looking at Quinn over his shoulder, Seung went to skim over the books and see if anything somehow grabbed his attention. His finger tip skimming lightly over the bindings of each book as he moved.



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Quinn looked at Seung, surprise all over his face. “Yeah. I mean I know there are cliff notes that ‘translate’ Shakespeare so I would think someone would have published a full book. If not a book then something on the web cuz I know that native English speakers have trouble with Middle English and Shakespeare.” He really had no idea that the fellow knight had no idea about such resources or he would have suggested them earlier. He had detested his Brit Lit classes at DCU and if they hadn't been pre req classes he would have skipped them.

“I'm more into building stuff and math then books myself.” He shrugged and gave the other guy a half smile before cocking his head to the side in curiosity, “you were taking classes back in South Korea? What major were you going for? Sticking with it here or going with something completely different?” He wasn't sure if Seung had meant that he was in the Lit track back in Korea and he was doing something different now or if he just liked it but had been and was doing something completely different. “So other then the whole language thing is it harder here or there?” Quinn was being nosy he knew but he was honestly curious to see what the other guy thought of their own humble university.

“Well yeah man…” Quinn followed Seung down the aisle, absently poking the little trinkets marking the section to be on astronomy. He personally liked to see the stars hanging on the ceiling glow when the store lights were shut off at night but that wouldn't happen right now, not with the store still open. “Your learning a whole new language as well as the info that is coming along with the classes. I don't think the average American kid could do that at all let alone pull it off.”



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“Yeah, am 24 back home...23 here. Went to university soon as I graduated high school.” He answered. Of course he had attended a university, one of the top ones in fact, he’d just had setbacks when he’d arrived here due to language and a few other differences. “Business major, was what father wanted.” But not what he wanted, it was left unsaid but hanging there in the air. “Will go for business here also.” But he would take some classes for himself, classes he wanted to take for his own enjoyment...like the litterature class he was currently taking. “Not so good with building things, will leave that to people like you.” Laughing he smiled at the other before the other asked a question - an easy one.

“Harder there. High school is….till late at night and after school classes. Many not going home till midnight from school.” He hadn’t attended a hagwan but he had done extra schooling at his high school and he had spent a lot of time in a library pouring over books in order to ensure good grades. He had to achieve them, he couldn’t and wouldn't let his family down. He just didn’t want to spend the money on a hagwon and he didn’t care to attend one, not some other strict schooling when he could dictate his own study schedule if he went to the library.

“Am also learning Chinese from Fai...is easier, Korean based on it for a long time till we made our own language. Don’t use old one any more...though for some names - sometimes then.” His hands sunk into his pockets as he turned to face the other fully.

“Learning - school...is big back home...is all many do till graduate and then university. We are...made to learn, like built for it.” And also they had to, they didn’t have much of a choice really.

“Did not learn Shakespeare in school, never had to. But like literature so wanted to try it now.” So he hadn’t really had experience with the cliff notes and all that.



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So many questions. Quinn was tempted to ask about the number thing and even about the major he was doing. It was pretty clear that his friend was majoring in business because his family wanted him to. It seemed like a shitty move of his family but he knew what it was like to face down family pressure. His was more focused on the company then majors but it wasn't like he was taking classes that would make taking over difficult if he ever caved. Being responsible for hundreds of others was not something Quinn ever wanted to do.

“You live at school? When do you ever have fun?” Quinn couldn't even wrap his mind around that. “We will have to show you how to have fun man. Show you to balance school and life. School only is never good.” It was kind of ironic coming from Quinn who was working a lot between the bookstore and the temp jobs he kept getting roped into it.

With a laugh and a slight shake of his head Quinn added, “never idle are you? Chinese, Shakespeare, ect. We will have to get you some books to help you out then.”



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“Went to school at five in morning...got out at 10 at night...would go to library to study and do homework. Allowed me to set my own hours, rather than hagwon.” He answered with ashrug of his shoulders. “Did more final year of high school….three hours of sleep each night.” It wasn’t an uncommon thing, he’d had a lot to study and a lot to learn and he had to pass the exam at the end, he couldn’t let his family down.

“Fun was when I had time on Sunday...went to gym, water park, shopping….studied also.” Of course he would study then as well. It was really no wonder he had glasses, the eye strain and problems all that time reading had likely caused his eyes. “Would go to some...anime conventions when free time.” When he had a day off, though he always fit in time to study. He spent a lot of time with his nose buried in a book, but not as long as others did.

“Chinese is good, are close to Korea. Already know Japanese.” He was already fluent in it, his school had offered it and he had taken it and had done well in learning the language. He had, in part, taken it because his friend had been half Japanese and it allowed him to speak in two languages to the other.

“Help books for Shakespeare would be good.” Very good, he could use the help in figuring out what words and phrases meant. He really had gotten in over his head with the class.



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Quinn could only shake his head in sadness. He had heard of kids in college going light on sleep to get papers and projects done but to do that in high school or even earlier was insane, bat freaking insane. “Man I would say we would have to get you laid but I have a feeling I don't need too. Instead I'll just say that we will have to make sure you don't disappear into the campus library when classes start back up.” He knew he would have to poke Terry and even the others in their group to make sure Seung didn't go school crazy. “Well you're already one up on most kids here with the Japanese let alone picking up Chinese. You overachiever you.” With a laugh he started back towards the front, he would have to look up the required books.



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Jessie came back in just as Seung mentioned help books. Bumping the door open with her hip she announced to the store in general, “I’ve got Chinese.” holding up the two plastic bags full of cartons in triumph. “I got Kung Pao, General Taos, Wontons, and lots of other good stuff.” Placing her haul on the front counter, mindful of the stake Quinn had made. She waited until Quinn came from around the stacks.

“Now what's this I hear about needing a Shakespeare help book?” Discussing books and helping people with their books was what she lived for.



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“After high school, when was legal age, love motels.” He wasn’t ashamed to talk about it, at least not to someone from here. Back home he had never told his friends, they’d wonder about a girlfriend and he couldn’t say anything about that - as he had no girlfriend. He couldn’t risk his friends back home finding out, ever. “Nothing with Terry….” Shrugging as he trailed after the other, grabbing a random book on the way. He might as well poke his nose into something else to read, and random wasn’t always a bad way to go.

“Chinese to talk to Fai, Japanese was to talk to friend. Over achieving makes you stand out - helps with jobs after university, so do looks. Is why I reformed nose.” Seung said this as he went to place the book on the counter, he’d purchase it before leaving tonight.

Surprised by Jessie’s arrival, and the food she mentioned, he had not encountered the Americanized Chinese food, since he went to eat Chinese food with Fai so it was authentic. Even the Chinese he’d had back home was altered from the original in a need to meet the tastes of the Korean people. He wondered what this would taste like, assuming it was not authentic, and what Fai would think of it.

“Taking Classic British literature. Language is hard...in overhead and need help to understand. Don’t want to keep going for help in special center for it.” As he was still working on his English, as he wasn’t from here, he was permitted and even pushed to using the help center for projects, exams, and other things so he could do well. He wanted to work on his own as much as he could, to prove himself and stand on his own two feet.

“Chopsticks for food?” He asked, since he was familiar with them and it felt...right to use them when eating such foods.

“Should take you both for food from my home, Korea Town has good foods.” He could cook for them but going out might be a better idea, but not tonight for obvious reasons. He liked the idea, he enjoyed sharing pieces of himself, simple...little pieces.

Lowering his face mask, so nose and mouth showed, he left the sides around his pierced ears and the mask itself hung down under his chin. Sniffing at the air, smelling the food, it didn’t smell like what he was used to when out with Fai. It smelled ok though. “No nuts in anything?” He asked, unsure of what would be in the food, if they used peanuts or anything in this American/Chinese hybrid food.



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“Wait… Those are real? I thought that was just stuff in Anime and Manga. Why have particular hotels just for getting laid?” Quinn was surprised by this little nugget of information. He wasn’t really aware that there were places like that here in the states either although they tend to be a bit more shady. Motels that rented by the hour or the like. He also completely missed that Seung and Terry hadn’t exactly needed to use one of those hotels. “I guess I can see where they would come in handy but still. It seems kind of excessive to have a place just to get some. Doesn’t it raise eyebrows if you're spotted going in with a girl you barely know… or a guy?” He was curious about how different Seung’s experiences were from him. It still boggled Quinn’s mind to know just how much time Seung spent in school. No wonder they say that other countries are outstriping the American Education system.

Shaking his head sadly the sandy haired young man quickly made space on the counter. He knew Jessie would never risk her books but there was no reason to put that to the test. Besides she would go ballistic if any of the books got damaged. “To each his own Seung. To each his own. Your nose looks fine by the way.” He tossed a smile over at his fellow knight before digging into the bags Jessie had just put down. Hissing as she slapped his hands, “whaaaatttt?”



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Jessie shook her finger at Quinn and scolded him, “Food is consumed in the break room. Nothing more than a bag of chips or a water out here. You know better.” After reminding him about the rules, mostly because eating at the front desk led to a mess, she focused on Seung. “Oh British Literature! I loved that class.” Her eyes went a bit distant and softened as she remembered her college class fondly. “All that history and to see how modern writing has been affected by their writing.” She sighed and smiled like she had just consumed a decadent piece of chocolate cake but after a moment she seemed to remember what the conversation was and glanced back at Seung. “There are quite a few books and sites that should be able to help with any trouble with various descriptions or translations. After ‘class’ today I’ll see if we have any in stock here and if not will look into ordering some. I’ll also give Quinn the order to find some sites to help you out.”



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“Hey!” Not that Quinn really minded since he was going to do it anyway. He stood there looking indignant but the sparkle in his eye was more amusement than any real anger. Instead he went digging in the bags again but rather than pulling out food he fished out the utensils, holding them up in triumph. “Chopsticks as well as forks my friend. What!? He asked, I answered!” With a sigh Quinn put the utensils in question back in the bag as Jessie looked on with a look on her face.



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“It’s like supervising a child. Really now Quinn you are…” Jessie had to pause and think about it since she really didn’t remember. After a moment she shrugged and went on to the next topic. “It would be neat to try new stuff. The city has a Korea Town? Is that like China Town? Does the city even have a China Town? Or a Little Italy?” She wasn’t being insulting, at least not intentionally, Jessie just really didn’t know.

“Peanuts?” Large brown eyes froze on Seung as Seung’s question triggered the memory of the younger man telling her about his severe allergy to the legume. “I… I…” She didn’t remember if she had told the store that their was a peanut allergy when it came to them making their food for the night. She tried to remember, tapping her forehead with her finger as she ‘walked’ through the steps she took while ordering.



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With a sigh Quinn fished in the bags once more, this time coming up with a receipt and quickly read it over. “‘Special notes: Highly allergic to peanuts, no cross contamination or nuts at all.’ Seung your good and you,” he pointed at Jessie who had looked up at him, “Don’t smack me for pulling out the receipt or this.” With a smile and a laugh he took a bite of a spring roll he had fished out as well. His grin getting wider as Jess sputtered and snatched the bags away to stomp into the back room at the back of the store.

Finishing up his roll he wiped his fingers off on his jeans, not caring about how it would affect his clothes. “You better follow her Seung, she might end up eating it all.” Still smiling he settled down on the stool in front of the computer. “I’ll come back and grab some food latter. Go have fun teaching her bad words. With luck I’ll get you a list of sites and books you can use for your classes.”



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The fact Quinn had even heard of them surprised him, he didn’t know if they had them here but he assumed they did. “People live home, with parents, long time. Too expensive to move till married. So when dating...if want closeness - love motels.” Or if you were like Seung and you were never going to get married and had to hide your sexuality, then they came in real handy and were visited fairly often. “Theme room design..and cheaper than hotels also, normal people use instead of hotel sometimes.” Which was true, all of it was, he didn’t go for themes typically, no reason to, it was one night stands for him. He hadn’t had an actual relationship till Terry.

“Not stared at for couples. Go in with other male and say you need place stay for night and hotel too expensive, make reason.” He had to lie a lot back home in order to keep his secrets, and he had done well. He still did a lot of both, secret keeping and lying...and a lot of it was from Terry and even his fellow Ganymede knights and others - like Quinn. He didn’t tell them everything about himself, never would, it just wasn’t in him.

Startled by the compliment to his nose, but pleased, he nodded his head. “Thank you.” Watching as Quinn went for the food he found himself laughing as Jessie slapped his hand and scolded him, shaking his head. “Yes, has Korea Town and China Town. Friend, Fai, is Chinese and goes there often. Will have to take you both sometime, just keep soju away from Quinn.” He had a feeling the other wanted nothing to do with soju after the drinking party they’d had that one night. “Is like sake is for Japanese.” A strong, clear, liquor which gave a hell of a hangover and took little to get drunk...unless you had a high tolerance.

“Don’t know about Italy…” He said, maybe he should ask Fai? He had been born here and lived here all his life - he would know...right? Not tonight though, he’d ask next time they got together for some form of bonding.

When Jessie seemed unsure about the food he almost paused, almost offered to order himself food, but Quinn again took control and sought to find an answer to his question. Hearing the words he nodded his head. “Good...don’t think would be good for another hospital visit...other one was bad.” He said shaking his head. He might have his epi pens now, which he hadn’t at the time, but three hits and still a trip to the hospital and being kept overnight. He did not want a repeat any time soon, Terry would find out this time as well. Quinn would surely contact the other and he’d wind up with Terry there...and who knows who else. He’d like to avoid that at all cost, and he would tonight thankfully.

While Jessie headed for the back room, food in her hands, he went and hugged Quinn, though it was more like he draped himself over the other and just held onto him in a rather lazy manner. “Remind me, Korean food for us some night soon. You help me a lot.” And he would treat the other to some good food, something he’d likely never had or heard of. Normally drinks would be a part of it….but he supposed they could skip that. It wasn’t done here all the time but food - food was still a thing.

Letting go of the other he went to follow after Jessie. “Haven’t taught her bad words…” Not yet anyway. It had been bad enough when he’d taught her how to say I and me...that had been...interesting.



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Quinn froze a moment when Seung hung on his shoulder before relaxing a bit. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable with the attention or with Seung hanging on him but that the other knight had a boyfriend. He had someone to hang on and show affection… Someone not Quinn. With a smile, abet one that wasn't as bright as before, he ruffled Seung’s hair. “Sure. Just no soju. You're right about that.” He didn't really remember much of that night but he did remember the drink, at least at first.

When Seung said he hadn't taught his boss bad words Quinn could only laugh and call out after him. “That's no fun!” As far as the sandy haired young man was concerned learning the bad words were part of the fun, and by far the best use of time. Granted he didn't remember much of his high school Spanish classes other than a few choice phrases.



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Quinn should know, after the short talk, that Seung was more serious about learning. He wasn’t about to go teaching the bad words, at least not any time soon, he would eventually just so Jessie could learn everything possible. It wouldn’t be for the reasons most people sought to learn those words first, or soon after starting a language.

Shaking his head as he heard the others words he stepped into the backroom moments later and went to grab some food, might as well try it now and find out how good or bad it was, chop sticks were grabbed as well.

“Thank you for dinner, didn’t have to.” But it was time to eat, since she had, and time to start the lesson.



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Jessie smiled and waved Seung in, already digging into her own box of food. “No worries.” She pulled out her notebook and a pen that she had been taking notes on the lesions. “Now about this word here…” She flipped the book open and pointed to a particular word, the lesion already beginning. Food and words, best kind of meal as far as she was concerned.



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Going for a wonton, picking it up carefully, he had a hand under it so nothing spilled or got onto the table. Popping the whole thing into his mouth he watched her flip open the notebook and turn to the page, pen in her hand, and point out what she needed help with.

Finishing chewing, the dough was a bit too chewy, Seung went into teaching mode. He had been the student for so long that he sort of knew how to teach, it was just he never got to do it, but to teach someone something especially his own language...he got into it. He was answering her question as soon as he could, and making sure she understood. The lessons, for him, were helpful in a way and he did his best to answer whatever he could as best he could.

As things fell into a pleasant, calm, atmosphere he did take off his face mask full and let it settle onto the table, it sort of got in the way of eating.

It wasn’t until later, after the food was eaten and the lesson over, that he was leaving with information and Quinn at his side. He would take both of them out soon for Korean food, he’d cook, and they could both eat and enjoy themselves. It felt...nice. Neither of them scolded him, made him feel like he wasn’t right or that he just wasn’t good enough at something - that he needed to change or improve himself….to become someone else even. He felt comfortable here with these lessons and the food, even if it wasn’t the best Chinese food he’d had. It was good, relaxing.