Work Text:
Yoo Joonghyuk watched into the distance, waiting in anticipation. Besides battles, no one’s seen him this alert before. Kim Dokja was the only one (stupidly) brave enough to point it out to his face.
“You look excited.”
The taller ignored him.
“Hey I’d be too. You get to see your family again.”
“How do you know?” Was all Yoo Joonghyuk said.
“I heard Seolhwa-ssi mentioning Mia was coming today. That little menace.” Kim Dokja teased even though he was just the slightest bit fond of the girl.
Yoo Joonghyuk glared at him. “If you don’t like her why are you still here?”
“You think so low of me, I never said I didn’t like her. But if I did could you blame me?” He muttered at the end, “Anyway I just want to see your once in a lifetime smiles.”
“Get away from me,” he said bitterly.
Kim Dokja jumped when he heard an ear piercing “OPPAAAAAA!” from the distance. Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t flinch, used to that noise. They watched as his little sister excitedly ran in their direction, a big smile on her face. And as Kim Dokja predicted, Yoo Joonghyuk gave a smile back, a small smile that big by his standards, considering his very limited facial expressions.
He stretched his arms out, prepared for an aggressive hug that would knock the air out of his lungs.
“You’re getting strong,” he said, causing her to smile wider.
He froze. She stared at him, wondering why his smile morphed into a tense face full of shock. Yoo Mia looked at him wearily, she didn’t like how he was staring at her, like she was odd, like how the people she passed by on her way also stared at her.
“Oppa…? What’s wrong? W-why’re you staring at me like that?” Her voice wobbled, even though she knew the answer.
Kim Dokja couldn’t see her face from his view, and wondered what got Yoo Joonghyuk looking the angriest he’s ever seen him, which is quite the label for the always glaring man.
Yoo Joonghyuk gently traced his scarred hand over the scar on his sister’s left cheek, feeling anger at whoever did it as well as disappointment in himself for not protecting her.
In a scarily quiet tone he asked, “Who… did… this?” Each word packed with murderous intent that made Kim Dokja step back a little.
Yoo Mia panicked, instinctively hiding her scar with her arm. “O-oh uhm- it’s nothing! Really!”
Her brother didn’t listen, his face still frozen in a glare. “I’ll kill them,” he said in a low voice.
“I said it’s fine!” Yoo Mia insisted, “Just cook me food already, I’m hungry!” She tried to change the topic, both to distract him and also because she missed his cooking.
Yoo Joonghyuk sighed and took her hand, determined to find out what happened. Then, Yoo Mia noticed Kim Dokja behind them. She always thought the man was odd, and didn’t understand why her brother was closest to him of all people.
“Hello Mia…” Kim Dokja said awkwardly, still weary by Yoo Joonghyuk’s demeanour.
She read his response wrong, thinking he was judging her face and glared at him, not as effective as her brother’s but still enough to keep someone on their toes.
“What’re you staring at, bastard?!”
“Mia.” Yoo Joonghyuk scolded.
“Acting like you don’t call me that all the time.” Kim Dokja huffed.
“I will more once she leaves.” He retorted.
“After all the sweet nicknames I’ve been giving you?” Kim Dokja faked a heartbroken expression.
Yoo Joonghyuk rolled his eyes.
“Like what?” Yoo Mia wondered.
Kim Dokja smirked and began pronouncing each word with a saccharine sweet voice. “Hyukie~ sunfish~ my life an-“ He was cut off by Yoo Joonghyuk smacking the back of his head.
Yoo Mia giggled at the interaction. Yoo Joonghyuk took her hand and walked off to feed her some food. Kim Dokja watched them leave, sort of wishing he also had a sibling to take care of. He did have something similar at least.
The two kids snuggled up against either side of Kim Dokja as he read a bedtime story in his room. He hoped they’d stay awake for the ending this time.
“”You’re very ugly” they said, and they laughed at him.” He read from the book.
“Poor ducky!” Lee Gilyoung frowned, the bug loving boy hating when creatures got mistreated just for the way they looked.
The kids jumped when they heard a loud screeching noise outside the room. Kim Dokja was neutral to it.
“Is that a dying cat?” Shin Yoosung wondered.
Kim Dokja sighed and got up, trying not to chuckle at the kids whining when his warmth left them. They were so clingy it was adorable. The screeching continued.
“OPEN THE DOORRRRRR.” The little menace outside demanded.
Kim Dokja obliged with a tired face.
“Hewwo,” Yoo Mia said sweetly.
Kim Dokja sighed. “Mia if you wanted to be part of story time you shouldn’t have called me a bastard earlier.”
She ignored his comment and put on the most serious expression she could muster. “I have a business proposal.”
“You’re 10-“
“Tell my brother you’re the one who hit me.”
Kim Dokja gaped at her, shocked she would even suggest something like that. He’d never in any life time imagine hurting a child. Even if it was accidental he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself for it.
“WHAT?! I would never- he’ll MURDER me!”
“He was going to do that anyway!” She insisted, and she did have a point, “Just cover for me while you’re at it! Two stones with one bird.”
“It’s two birds with one-“ he sighed, giving up.
Then he stared at her, feeling worried again. Wondering why she was being so secretive about it. She wasn’t being threatened or anything… was she? What if it was the person who was meant to be taking care of her while she was away from her brother? Kim Dokja felt a pit in his stomach at the thought. He kneeled down to her level and looked at her as gently as he could, putting a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. His demeanour seemed to be effective as she looked liked she lowered her guard a bit.
“Why are you so scared to tell him?” He asked softly.
She looked at the floor embarrassed, quiet for a second. He let her take her time, giving her a reassuring smile when she made eye contact again, which gave her more courage.
“I found a jump rope in a pile of rubble and was really bored so I played with it…” she shook a bit as she recalled the memory, “But then I tripped and fell… and it really r-really hurt…”
She began feeling embarrassed. Her brother was out there risking his life and meanwhile she was shaken from her playtime going wrong? She wouldn’t even judge Kim Dokja if he laughed at or teased her.
It didn’t come, however. Instead he looked alarmed, and had a pitiful expression.
“Mia…” he mumbled, although saw her expression and felt guilty. “Sorry… I’m not trying to make you feel ashamed, it’s okay, it was an accident, that’s all.” He reassured.
She stayed quiet.
“Did it scare you?”
She nodded.
“That’s okay, that does sound scary.”
She was surprised, not expecting him to be so understanding about it.
“I didn’t want to force that out of you, it’s just me and your brother were really worried someone hurt you or is hurting you. And he’s still worried so-“
“I can’t tell him!” She whined. “It’s so embarrassing- he has so many serious battle scars but- but mine is so stupid!”
Kim Dokja frowned and shook his head. “It’s not stupid. There’s no right way to get a scar, we just get hurt sometimes, that’s all it is.”
She shifted a bit, fidgeting with her hands silently.
“Are you sure you don’t want to tell him?”
“He’ll yell at me!”
Kim Dokja scoffed jokingly. “You’d rather me die than him yell at you?”
She giggled. “Obviously.”
He smiled at her cheering up a bit, but knew he had to get her to be less anxious. “How about I tell him for you and convince him not to yell at you?” He suggested, even though he had no idea how to convince Yoo Joonghyuk to do anything.
The girl’s eyes sparkled. “Really?”
He nodded, happy to see she was finally working with him. “Please don’t blame it on me… I don’t want to have those two taken away from me…” he mumbled, not being able to imagine a world where he couldn’t speak to them anymore.
Although, he wouldn’t blame anyone that wouldn’t trust him if Yoo Mia accused him of hurting her. He’d be more annoyed if they’d still let him be around the kids after that instead of attempting to protect them.
“Who?” The girl asked, peeking into the room curiously.
She saw two kids on the bed reading a storybook. Her eyes sparkled. It’s been a while since she’s seen any kids her own age, everyone else was too old to play with her, and she hated playing alone.
“Can I stay?” She asked shyly.
Kim Dokja smiled. “Of course.”
The girl excitedly ran into the room towards the kids. They looked up from the book when they heard her loud stomping.
“What’re you reading!”
Instead of getting a response, they glared at her. All they saw was a new enemy against Kim Dokja’s affection, and the man read the atmosphere instantly. He sighed from the door. While it was nice to be so loved by them, he wished they weren’t so possessive. Although, he couldn’t really blame them considering their upbringing.
Yoo Mia shrunk under the combined glare from the two older kids. Without realising it, she held up her hand to cover her scar as she wearily stared at them.
Lee Gilyoung leaned forward and yelled, “You called ahjussi ugly!”
She blinked, lowering her hand. “Oh… I was just joking-!” she argued, not even remembering when she did that, although couldn’t deny it as it did sound like something she’d do.
“It wasn’t funny!” Shin Yoosung huffed.
Yoo Mia couldn’t think of a defence besides glaring back at them. Kim Dokja sighed and walked back to the bed.
“Kids… be nice or I won’t read the story.”
“Ok ok!” Shin Yoosung said, opening the book again as she really wanted to know the ending.
A few hours passed. Lee Gilyoung was curled up against Kim Dokja’s left and fast asleep, Shin Yoosung the same but on his right. Yoo Mia was still awake so Kim Dokja continued reading for her.
“…he was not ugly at all, he was a beautiful swan.” He concluded.
Yoo Mia didn’t have much thoughts on the story, only seeing it for its face value. Kim Dokja meanwhile had the story on his mind ever since he’s first read it as a child.
“I always hated this story.” He sighed.
“Because you never became a swan?” Yoo Mia quipped. “I was joking!” She said quickly when he gave her the most disappointed face.
“I just don’t like the whole “it’s okay to be ugly because one day you’ll be beautiful” why can’t it be “you’ll always be beautiful no matter what?”” He ranted. “Oh, sorry Mia,” he mumbled embarrassed.
The girl stared at the floor, swaying her feet.
“Do you think I’ll ever become a swan?” She mumbled.
Growing up, everyone around the girl constantly compared her to her older brother, especially discussing how she should grow up to be just as beautiful as him, which she always hated. She didn’t know why they cared so much about the way she looked. She just wanted to play jump rope.
Kim Dokja stared at her sadly, thinking of the right words to say. “Mia, you don’t need to worry about something like that. And like I’ve said, you were always beautiful and you always will be, no matter what.”
She considered his words then smiled.
“Like a beautiful duckling?”
Kim Dokja’s heart melted at her thought process. “Like a beautiful duckling.” He agreed.
“…Even with my scar?” She asked wearily.
“Did someone say something mean about it?” He guessed, and felt upset when she nodded sadly. He put his hand on her shoulder again. “They don’t know what they’re talking about, and aren’t worth your time anyway. There’s plenty of nice people you can talk to instead.”
“Like you?”
He smiled and nodded. “And these two, once you get to know them.” He chuckled, patting the sleeping kid’s hair.
“If my oppa doesn’t like them then I don’t like them.” She insisted.
“If that’s your tactic then everyone is your enemy…”
“Except for you.” She shrugs, “He really likes you.”
Kim Dokja blushed and tried to calm down, getting annoyed at her smirk.
“Y-you don’t know what you’re talking about-“
“He wants to marry youuuu!” She sang.
“S-stop!” He pleaded, covering his flustered face.
“Can I be the flower girl?”
The bickering began to wake the two kids up, Shin Yoosung jolting at the word “flower girl.”
“Ahjussi said I’ll always be his flower girl!” Shin Yoosung argued.
Kim Dokja groaned, embarrassed. “There is no wedding-“
“I’ll be better at it!” Yoo Mia yelled.
“I’ve been practicing!” Shin Yoosung retorted.
Kim Dokja felt like he was getting a headache as the two argued. At least Gilyoung was being quiet.
“I wish I was a flower girl without being a girl…” the boy mumbled upset.
Never mind.
Kim Dokja chuckled at his genuine worry over the situation. “I’m not having a wedding, but if I did you’ll be the flower boy.”
His eyes sparkled with joy.
“And you can have more than one flower girl!” He said loudly over the girl’s bickering.
The two looked at each other then smiled happily. Kim Dokja watched in confusion as the three kid’s chattered excitedly, instantly going from enemies to best friends in just a moment, and all because of an imaginary wedding that will never happen.
“Ok bedtime!” He interrupted them, a flustered look on his face. “I’m sending you back to your rooms!”
The kids whined and hugged him tightly, looking up at him with puppy dog eyes that he tried hard to tear his gaze away from.
“D-don’t give me that look…”
Last time they used that tactic he let the two sleep in his room, causing him to not be able to sleep the entire night as Shin Yoosung kept shifting into the strangest sleeping position while Lee Gilyoung wouldn’t stop sleep talking.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” He said quickly.
They nodded like kicked puppies. Yoo Mia watched the interaction, unable to judge them as she acted the same way with her brother. He led the three out of the room and his arms were immediately trapped.
“Ahjussi carry me carry me!” Shin Yoosung pleaded, tugging his arm.
“No it’s my turn!” Lee Gilyoung complained, tugging at his other.
Yoo Mia watched, wishing Kim Dokja would consider to carry her.
Kim Dokja gave an apologetic smile and picked up Lee Gilyoung, the boy smiling happily and tightly wrapping his arms around him.
“Sorry Yoosung but he’s right, I’ll carry you tomorrow.”
“Ok…” she moped.
He led them down the hall and Lee Gilyoung tried to fit in 100 conversations in 1 during the journey, trying to finish his thoughts before they reached his room. Kim Dokja tried hard to follow what he was saying. Behind him, he noticed Shin Yoosung and Yoo Mia chatting together, glad they were getting along. Once he reached the rooms, he set down the clingy boy and gave him a tight hug.
“Goodnight, Gilyoung.” He ruffled the boys hair.
He turned to Shin Yoosung and picked her up into a hug, lifting her slightly in the air as he did so. “Goodnight, Yoosung.”
He waved as the kid’s disappeared into their rooms. Feeling tired, he continued walking.
“Come on Mia-“
He felt something tug at his sleeve. At first he thought the other two kids snuck up on him, and was surprised to see Yoo Mia’s shy expression. It took him a second for him to realise what she wanted. Smiling, he knelt onto the floor and let her climb on his back, then got up as he gave her a piggy back ride down the halls.
They walked in silence, Yoo Mia looking around and pretending she was tall.
“You’re not ugly either.” She found herself saying, thinking she owed him the same reassurance he gave her earlier.
He almost stopped walking, a bit surprised by her comment. “Thank you Mia.”
Yoo Joonghyuk sat in his room, staring at the time. A while ago Yoo Mia said she was going to visit one of the group members, although she’s been out for a while, and didn’t mention who she was seeing so he couldn’t call them. Before he could spam the group chats with death threats, he heard screeching outside the door. A screeching he recognised very well.
“OPEN THE DOORRRRR!” Kim Dokja screeched.
With an unamused face, Yoo Joonghyuk opened it, about to glare at Kim Dokja who strategically placed up Yoo Mia’s adorable face in front of himself, holding her up.
“I found a tiny version of you in my room,” he said cheerfully, swaying Yoo Mia like she was a doll.
Yoo Joonghyuk tried his hardest to not smile at his antics.
“…Thank you Dokja.”
He grabbed his sister and she tightly clung onto him. He watched Kim Dokja beginning to leave.
“You can stay too,” he said, not knowing why.
Kim Dokja turned around and Yoo Joonghyuk was wondering if he was imagining the blush sprawled across the man’s face.
“R-really?” Kim Dokja asked, surprised.
Yoo Mia rolled her eyes at Yoo Joonghyuk’s behaviour. “Wow oppa,” she shook her head, “remember when there was a rainstorm and an unnie asked if she could stay over and you said no and told her to die-“
Embarrassed, Yoo Joonghyuk placed a hand over her mouth to muffle her words. Why did it have to be her job to annoy him? He turned and went into the room, leaving it open for Kim Dokja the follow. As he did, Yoo Mia was grinning at him, he rolled his eyes and ignored it.
A few minutes later, he was lying on the cold floor and staring at the ceiling, trying to figure out why Yoo Joonghyuk invited him to stay. It was uncharacteristic of him, not that he was complaining. Well, he was a little, wishing he was in his own bed instead of on the floor.
Meanwhile, Yoo Joonghyuk was tucking his sister in bed in the spare room.
“Goodnight Mia, I’ll be in my room if you need me,” he said, beginning to leave.
She stared at him, then took a deep breath.
“You’ll have to kill rocks.” She stated.
Yoo Joonghyuk turned around, wondering if he heard her right. “…Why?”
She looked away. “Because rocks hurt me…”
It took a moment but Yoo Joonghyuk understood her statement. He sighed and sat on the edge of the bed.
“You got hurt from playing somewhere dangerous, didn’t you?” He guessed, hoping he was right. It was either that or someone attacked her with a rock.
He was relieved when he saw her nod. He patted her head gently, just like he’d do when she was a baby.
“Ok, thank you for telling me.”
Yoo Mia stared at him confused. “You’re not mad?”
“…”
He looked at her then put forward his hands, showing all the scars.
“Did you know I got most of these from cooking?” He said, sincerely.
She blinked, not expecting the terrible scarring to be from something so normal. “Really?”
“I like to use a sharp knife for precision.” He explained, which made a lot of sense for a perfectionist like him.
She giggled at the explanation, feeling less embarrassed of her own scar. Her eyes crinkled upwards, her mouth stretching happily, pulling her rosy cheeks and scar with it as she smiled at her brother, a very adorable smile that he returned.
“You’re so silly oppa!”
“It runs in our family,” he quipped.
She stopped giggling and pulled the sheets over her, catching her reflecting in the large window as she laid down.
“Do you think my scar makes me ugly…” she mumbled.
Her brother put a hand on her shoulder, the same way Kim Dokja did and said, “Nothing could ever make you ugly, Mia. And whoever calls you that doesn’t deserve to know that you’re the sweetest, funniest girl I know. …And I’ll kill them.”
She chuckled. “Ahjussi said the same thing.”
Yoo Joonghyuk hummed. “Did he?”
“He said I’m a beautiful duckling!”
He brought her into a hug and she happily returned it. “You’re my favourite duckling. Goodnight, Mia.”
“Goodnight!” She repeated, feeling much better to fall asleep.
He left the room and went back to his, stopping for a moment as he stared at Kim Dokja, who was asleep on the floor. He really didn’t look comfortable, which made Yoo Joonghyuk feel bad, considering he invited him over then proceeded to give him the worse place in the house. Gently, he lifted the smaller man up, accidentally waking him.
“Huh…? Joonghyuk-ah?”
The taller tried not to think about how adorable Kim Dokja’s voice was when he was sleepy. He roughly threw the man on his bed, forcing the blanket over him. Kim Dokja sat upright and retaliated because of course he did.
“Wait- where will you sleep-?”
“The floor. Close your damn eyes.” Yoo Joonghyuk huffed, annoyed he couldn’t just comply.
The two began bickering for a while, neither backing down their hospitality. Not wanting to bother Yoo Mia, Yoo Joonghyuk eventually ended up joining him in the bed, not wanting to kick the other out of the bed and knowing he wouldn’t let him on the floor without being annoying.
They awkwardly faced away from each other, Kim Dokja trying his best to be very still, to not breathe too loudly. This was so much worse than the floor.
Yoo Joonghyuk decided to get out what he wanted to before it kept him up for the rest of the night.
“…Thanks,” he mumbled, like he didn’t want Kim Dokja to hear it.
“What?”
“Mia told me what you said to her earlier. Thanks.”
“Oh…”
Kim Dokja couldn’t help but grin at how embarrassed Yoo Joonghyuk sounded, and also couldn’t help but want to tease him. He turned to face him.
“Mia told me you want to marry me.”
“…Shut up Dokja.”
Kim Dokja smirked at him. “Ok goodnight. Thanks for inviting me in your room late at night and throwing me in your bed.”
Yoo Joonghyuk rolled his eyes at the wording. “I’m about to throw you out,” he grumbled, causing Kim Dokja to chuckle.
He turned to his side but still had an odd quesiton on his mind. “Do you think I’m ugly…?” He whispered, not entirely wanting the taller to hear it.
“Don’t ask me stupid questions,” Yoo Joonghyuk said, annoyed.
Kim Dokja’s heart clenched painfully, seeing his answer as a “of course you’re ugly what kind of question is that?”
“O-oh…”
“I’ll kill whoever calls you that.”
Kim Dokja’s eyes widened. Then he realised what the other really meant.
“T-thank you…”
“Goodnight, Dokja.”
The shorter smiled, a blush on his face. “G-goodnight.” He wasn’t uncomfortable by sharing the bed anymore.
The next morning, Yoo Joonghyuk heard a loud click in his ear. He slowly opened his eyes, squinting a bit at the sunlight. Although, his eyes widened when they adjusted to the sight in front of him.
Kim Dokja. His overwhelming crush. In his arms. His bed hair looking as adorable as his sleeping face.
Yoo Joonghyuk heard another click.
Slowly, he turned his head, and wasn’t entirely surprised to be met with his younger sister holding his phone, taking photos of the two cuddling. They stared at each other for a bit. The moment Yoo Joonghyuk sat up, the girl screamed and ran out the room.
“Mia…” Yoo Joonghyuk grumbled.
Despite just having woken up, it wasn’t difficult for him to chase after her. He grabbed her sleeve with an annoyed look. She yelled, struggling out of his grasp.
“I’m helping you! You useless gay!” She complained. Before he could scold her name calling, she faced him and continued, “I’ll get you two together before I leave! Just watch me!”
Her brother sighed at her antics, although it was quickly replaced by a fond smile. He patted her head.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said, enjoying this version of the morning compared to the one’s where he woke up alone. She smiled at him. “I’ll make us breakfast.” He walked into the kitchen.
“Can I help?”
“You can’t touch the knife.”
“No fair!”
The shuffling and clatters of pots and pans eventually woke Kim Dokja up, who was standing at the doorway rubbing his eyes and wearing an oversized t-shirt that draped over him. He huffed at the sight in front of him, of Yoo Mia messing with the kitchen utensils that he’d get yelled at for touching.
“Oh so a child can cook with you but I can’t?!”
Yoo Mia beamed when she noticed him. “Good morning ahjussi!”
Yoo Joonghyuk, rolled his eyes at the man’s complaints. “Yeah because you’ll burn down the…” his words died in his throat when he saw his outfit. “Are you wearing my shirt?”
Kim Dokja simply stared at him with a red face. Yoo Mia smirked at the two of them. Eventually the three got settled and ate breakfast together, Yoo Mia enjoying her large stack of pancakes. Kim Dokja at the delicious food, wishing he could wake up to it everywhere morning. His eyes wandered to man next to him. Another thing he’d like to wake up to every morning.
This feels so… domestic the man thought to himself. He looked at his surroundings and daydreamed a bit, of his loved ones around him at the same table, where he and Yoo Joonghyuk would work together to take care of the kids. It was a comforting thought.
Like we could be a family in another world.
His thoughts were interrupted by Yoo Mia calling out to him, holding a bottle of maple syrup.
“Can you open this for me?”
“Please.” Yoo Joonghyuk reminded.
She grumbled, “Please can you open this for me?”
Kim Dokja smiled and took the bottle. As he unscrewed it, he noticed Yoo Joonghyuk smiling at him. He grinned.
“What?”
Yoo Joonghyuk seemed to get flustered, “Nothing. Hurry up, we need to go soon,” the man said quickly, causing Kim a Dokja to chuckle.
He poured syrup over Yoo Mia’s pancakes, watching the girl shovel them down her mouth as her brother scolded her to eat slowly. The two met eyes and Yoo Joonghyuk blushed again.
“I’m glad you’re also here…” he admitted.
Kim Dokja smiled warmly at him.
Or maybe that’s this world…