"Yoooo," Ji-Hoon said as he stood on his tiptoes, his hand over his eyes as he tried to see farther," Is that Ijin?"

His words caught the attention of his companions, who immediately perked up at the mention of the teenager.

It had been months since they had seen the kid and even longer since they had been able to have a meal with him. After Ijin went back to Grian to bust their squad out of that sticky situation, they all had been too exhausted to even have a conversation with him. As soon as they got into the helicopter, they all collectively knocked out. Ji-Hoon had even woken up to the amusing sight of the Major and Ijin leaning against each other as they slept before he went back to sleep.

Since Ijin had returned home almost immediately, they were going to take full advantage of the fact that the teenager was here and now.

"Oh my god that is Ijin!"

"Oiii!" All manners went out of the windows as the three men started sprinting down the street, ignoring the way passersby were looking at them as they continued," Ijin!"

Ijin must have been returning from school, as he had a school blazer on, as well as his backpack. Their shout had caused him to turn, his head tilted in that way of his, but once he saw that it was them, the three idiots, a smile spread across his face.

They didn't stop in their approach, even when they saw four students, who had previously been hidden by the corner, walk out to see what was going on.

Ji-Hoon got to him first, his arms wrapping around Ijin as they both stumbled back from the impact. The students sputtered at the sight. Ji-Hoon's smile only got bigger when he heard the smallest chuckle in his ear as Ijin hugged him back.

Sung-Ho got to them next, making them stumble again as he started hugging them as well. They were being loud with their laughter, but at the moment they didn't care.

Han-Gyeol was the last one to get there, he was slower compared to the others, but he was also heavier than them.

Thus.

His impact was enough to make them all fall in a bunch of human parts, Sung-Ho and Ji-Hoon letting out a yelp as they tumbled down to the sidewalk.

"Han-Gyeol you asshole!" Despite the cruel words, Sung-Ho's voice was light and airy with laughter. His hand slightly ached since he had placed it behind Ijins head to protect it from the sidewalk, but he was still laughing like a giddy idiot nonetheless.

Ijin had a wide smile on his face, quiet chuckles falling out of his mouth as the other three bickered on top of him.

After finding out that Ijin had been living in a hellhole for almost half of his life, the soldiers and their squad had no problem showing Ijin their physical affection. As they predicted, the teenager was touch-starved but was too shy/emotionally stunted for him to initiate contact first.

Ijin flourished with the way they would ruffle his hair and knock their shoulders against his shoulders. Although there were times when Ijin wasn't particularly in the mood for such rough-housing, he usually was.

The first time they heard the kid laugh was when Major Kang had gotten roped into their antics. The Major had picked up Ijin from his legs, draping the teenager over his shoulder before he practically body-slammed the teen into the nearby foam pads. Instead of being upset like they thought he would, it was an unforgettable moment when they realized that Ijin had actually laughed out loud with them instead of just smiling.

Ijin was still chuckling into his ear as Ijin patted his shoulder, his silent way of asking them to get off.

The students just stared as they all clambered off the teenager, the three of them chuckling like fools as he pulled Ijin to his feet.

Han-Gyeol, the biggest and most affectionate out of the three of them, leapt into action first.

"Thank you thank you thank you!" Ijin squirmed as Han-Gyeol kissed his cheeks over and over again, a faint blush appearing at the show of gratitude. Everyone on their team had gotten their cheek kissed by Han-Gyeol at least once, and it was finally Ijin's turn.

"Hey hey that's enough man!" Sung-Ho said with a grin," You're embarrassing the kid!"

The giant of a soldier pulled Ijin into a tight hug, Ijins head tucked under his chin as he said," Are you kidding me?!" Ijin gave the others a bashful smile as Han-Gyeol swung him side to gently while hugging him," I would have never been able to see my daughter be born if it wasn't for him!" The man almost had a pout on his face as he held onto Ijin, holding him as if he was a child that had to be protected," He's my little brother now! I call it first!"

They just chuckled.

It was true, Ijin had saved their lives that day just like he did when they first met him. All of them had already agreed that the day their entire squad was put onto leave, they were all going to drag Ijin for some drinks and other activities to show their appreciation.

"Um…" The feminine voice made them stop in their show of love towards the former mercenary before they slowly turned to face the students they had been ignoring since their arrival.

They were all staring at them with varying forms of shock and confusion. They could tell that they had thoroughly confused the students after they swarmed Ijin like that.

"Oh! Hey!" Ji-Hoon said brightly," You guys are Ijins friends?" he asked that while swiveling his head between the students and Ijin, smiling further when he saw a small nod of an affirmative from Ijin.

He saw their eyes glance down at his neck, probably at the dog tags that had come out of his shirt while he was acting like a fool. Then he saw them become even more confused when they processed the fact that Ijin was being swarmed by three soldiers, all of whom were treating him like a very close friend.

"Well its nice meeting you," Ji-Hoon had a bright smile on his face, trying to ignore the way he could see Ijin nodding after Han-Gyeol whispered something into his ear," But we're gonna kidnap Ijin for the day. "

There was a sharp yelp was Han-Gyeol picked up Ijin and slung him over his shoulder Sung-Ho retrieving his fallen backpack that fell off in the process.

His friends were still staring at them in bewilderment, especially after Ijin waved off their concerns.

As soon as they were far enough where his voice wouldn't be heard, Ji-Hoon threw a smile towards Ijin way (Who was still being carried)," So what plushies do you want? We'll buy you one each."

And the smile on the kid's face.

The smile alone was enough to make their entire trip worth it.

If they knew just giving Ijin some stuffed animals would have been enough to get Ijin to come out of his shell, they would have given them on a long time ago.