🪚　↳ hearth & oak woodworks

@ryu jaewon For a brief moment, Joon simply stared. The face before him was familiar, yet distant, like a memory blurred by time. Since his father’s passing, Joon had been drifting, simply seeing people but never truly registering them, moving through the motions of life but never fully present. So when this stranger, no, not a stranger, spoke, the name finally settled in his mind, breaking through the fog that had dulled him for so long.

"Ah. Jaewon." A quiet chuckle left him, soft and almost embarrassed. It had been so long, too long, and the boy he once knew had grown into a man. No wonder it took him a moment to recognize him. But now, as he took in Jaewon's features, he felt something stir in his chest, something warm and nostalgic. "You grew up so well I hardly recognized you." he admitted with a small, genuine smile, the kind he hadn't worn in a while.

Stepping forward, Joon placed a firm but gentle hand on Jaewon's shoulder, giving it a reassuring and grounding squeeze, as if to confirm that this was real, that Jaewon was truly standing before him after all these years. "You found me." he said, a hint of playfulness laced in his tone, though there was an underlying truth to his words.

He hadn’t been hiding, not really. But he hadn’t expected anyone to come looking for him either, especially not Jaewon. And yet, here he was, standing in his quiet little shop in the middle of Wineport, bringing back pieces of a past Joon thought he had long left behind.

@kim joon it's been a while really, jaewon isn't usually the types who will searching for someone that he used to encountered with from his past, but this person is different. he excluded such a big brother energy to jaewon himself even before hence jaewon decided to look up for this locations once he got it, he drives his way towards this place. he missed this person and perhaps they could reminiscing their old memories together when they met later on.

upon arriving, jaewon's gazes wander around the area, it's pretty beautiful, surrounded by the nature in the wineport, he read the place's name ' heart & oak woodworks ' cause him to smile a little. he always knows that this person fond with artworks, and it's no surprise he's making a business now with his skills. something that jaewon could say he's proud of this man.

he entered the shop as the bell chimes, and when the said guy comes over to the counter, jaewon fixed his glasses and smiles. "it's been a while hyung." he said as he rubs his nape. "it's me jaewon. " he introduced himself once again. he was slightly nervous because what if the man doesn't remember him from the old times? "please don't tell me you forgot about me already. i am going to be so sad, hyung."

[ OPEN ]

The steady rhythm of Joon’s axe cutting through timber echoed through the quiet clearing, a satisfying sound that seemed to blend with the rustle of leaves overhead. Nestled just outside the outskirts of Wineport, his workshop, the Heath & Oaks, was far enough from the town center to offer solitude, yet close enough to keep him woven into the fabric of the community.

The sun hung high, casting dappled light through the canopy of trees, shielding him from the full brunt of the heat. Still, the effort of chopping wood brought a sheen of sweat to his brow, muscles flexing under the simple cotton of his shirt as he worked. Each log split cleanly under his swing, somehow a testament to years of honing his craft both in wood and in strength.

Then the sudden chime of the shop’s front doorbell broke through his focus. Pausing, Joon looked up, wiping a forearm across his forehead. Through the open door at the back of the shop, he saw a figure stepping inside, their silhouette framed by the sunlit threshold. Setting down the axe, Joon pulled off his work gloves, letting them rest on the broad stump he used as a chopping block. Grabbing a few of the freshly split logs with ease, he carried them inside, placing the wood behind the counter. He reached into his back pocket, retrieving a neatly folded handkerchief, gently dabbing the perspiration on his face, collecting himself before turning to meet his visitor’s gaze. Joon’s eyes were warm, reflecting the earthy tones of the workshop filled with his handcrafted furniture, half finished projects, and the lingering scent of sawdust.

“Hello.” he greeted, his voice warm but reserved. He folded the handkerchief and tucked it away, straightening with a polite nod. “How can I be of service?” he inquired.