[EN] All of Barcode (and Jeff's) first times in Korea

Chapter 19

It takes at least three days for Barcode to understand that not all the coconut water in the world can cure what doesn't even need to be cured. And also to accept that Jeff was completely right about the fact Barcode would be missing him. This morning when he needs to go to the company, the distance is almost unbearable, but he still hopes he won't find him.

With his head still a little dazed, Barcode has spent the last few days trying to organize his thoughts, but failing to reach a conclusion he considered reasonable. Maybe because none of them seem to match what he feels deep down in his heart. When questioned by his sister after refusing to leave his room for the last few days, he almost burst into tears and told her everything. Not that he's worried about her finding out, but he doesn't even know what to say.

At the meeting he's having with some co-workers, Barcode hardly pays attention to what is being discussed about some advertisements and schedules the company has for the upcoming months. Teased a few times about being strangely silent, he struggles a bit to make a few jokes and get a laugh from his friends, but deep down he's grateful when they're finally released and almost runs out of the meeting room.

"Barcode!"

Already with his cell phone in hand, ready to call a car and return to the safety of his room, Barcode stops on his way to the exit when he hears Bible calling him. He approaches, slightly panting after apparently running after him.

"Have lunch with me." It doesn't look like an invitation, but rather a statement.

"Why?" The younger man's eyebrows rise in confusion when he expresses genuine doubt.

"Because I'm paying." Bible laughs lightly and pushes him by the shoulder, eliciting a laugh from him. "Come on, choose something to be delivered." Bible indicates Barcode's cell phone with his head.

Still a little confused, not hungry at all or willing to stay, the younger man does as he asks. He enjoys Bible's company. The truth is that Barcode doesn't tend to do many things alone with any of his other colleagues. Normally, when they are traveling, they go out in groups, almost always among the same people, but still in groups. And this has nothing to do with not feeling comfortable or anything like that. Over time Barcode understood that it is simply natural for some to be closer to others and, in his case, he has always been closer to Jeff.

It is with this in mind that Barcode concludes why perhaps he has always had an easy conversation with Bible. Him and Jeff are similar in a lot of ways, although Bible is definitely quieter, introverted in a different way. At first he even thought he irritated his co-worker a little, until he realized that it's just Bible's way and that in that silent guy lives a big heart.

For some reason, Bible chooses an empty room when the food arrives, even though he's pretty sure some of the other guys are still there. They settle down at one of the tables where they usually hold meetings and begin to eat in silence.

"Is Phi going to tell me now why he invited me to lunch?" Barcode asks with his mouth full, seeing the other smile with just his eyes behind his prescription glasses.

"Smarty." Bible says simply and for a moment it seems like he's not going to say anything else, but then he finally continues. "I want to know how you're feeling."

When Bible looks up at him, his brain makes all the obvious connections, and Barcode is sure this is about Jeff.

"Did he go running to tell you?" He lets out a little more grumpily than he intended as he picks at his food.

"Running... Maybe?" Bible is still watching him, Barcode doesn't need to look to know. "But I want to know how you are."

With a pout he knows inevitably appears on his lips, Barcode stuffs his mouth some more before shrugging and not responding. It's a bit annoying how Bible seems to wait all the time in the world, but Barcode knows he can be even more stubborn than the other's patience is capable of handling.