Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

"Good morning," Kim Dokja greeted with a yawn the next morning.

Some of them were just as sleepy as he was so they only mumbled a good morning and kept on eating while the ones who were as fresh as a lettuce once they woke up greeted him happily.

Some were still with aftereffects of the chocolates, others had already gone through it and most of them had evidence of what happened so they could use it as blackmail or laughing material for years to come. Thankfully, Kim Dokja had already worn off the cat's characteristics. It annoyed him being hypnotized by a goddamn laser or jumping from cucumbers all day long.

He sat down next to Yoo Joonghyuk and Han Sooyoung after getting his breakfast.

"What do we have for first period today?" Jung Heewon asked, poking her breakfast lazily.

"Maths," Yoo Sangah replied.

There was a unanimous groan around the table.

"Fucking hell. Nobody likes math. What do you even need it for anyway?"

"Well, it is pretty useful–"

She cut Yoo Sangah off, "Sorry. I know it's useful. I just wanted to shit on it."

Kim Dokja suddenly yawned again, opening his mouth wide.

"Damn, that was a long–" Han Sooyoung commented before his yawn infected her and she yawned too.

The rest started yawning too, even the early birds like Yoo Sangah, Lee Seolhwa and Lee Hyunsung got infected. Kim Dokja couldn't help but giggle.

It was a good morning.

After classes were done, Kim Dokja was dragged to Central Town by his boyfriend.

Yoo Joonhyuk took him to a café, then to a small arcade and then finally told him to wait outside for a second. Kim Dokja sat on a bench and watched as people passed by, entering or exiting shops, laughing and chatting. He held a hot chocolate cup in his hands to dissipate the cold.

Minutes later, Yoo Joonghyuk was back with a small paper bag.

"I didn't know what would be good but… I thought that you might like this." He handed the bag.

Dokja took it and opened it to reveal a silver pocket watch. It looked fancy, like those in European movies.

"That story Han Sooyoung wrote… It has a regressor as a protagonist, right? She got the idea from my past time traveling alice. Regression and time travelling are similar yet different but they are both related with time so…"

This must have been the first time Kim Dokja heard Yoo Joonghyuk talk so much. He even looked as nervous as the day he confessed, with his cheeks tinted with red and his eyes darting away just to find Dokja's time and time again.

"Happy birthday, Kim Dokja," he finished, a small smile directed to the birthday boy.

The tips of his ears were red and Kim Dokja knew it wasn't from the cold.

He couldn't help but smile brightly.

"Thank you, Joonghyuk-ah. I love it."

"Why is everything so silent?" Kim Dokja whispered. They arrived at time for dinner so everyone should be around and about in the diner but it was dark and silent like in horror movies.

Yoo Joonghyuk didn't reply, he just calmly held his hand with Dokja's. That did not help solve the other's confusion.

When they opened the doors to the diner, the lights switched on and pops were heard along with confetti falling on their figures.

"Happy birthday, Kim Dokja!"

Kim Dokja stared wide-eyed as his friends smiled brightly and congratulated him. Even his parents and some teachers like Namgung Minyoung and Kyrgios were there. The tables were filled with snacks and bubbly and colorful drinks. There were numerous balloons on the ceiling and a big sign with the words Happy birthday, Dokja!.

If he was being honest, he didn't forget his birthday. It was impossible to forget when it was after Valentine's day.

He did get just a little disappointed when nobody congratulated him at breakfast but he didn't expect for a party to be held, a surprise one at that. He was content with just spending his days leisurely like he always did with them, the kind of days he didn't have before coming here.

He was genuinely surprised.

"Cat got your tongue?" Jung Heewon teased when he stood frozen in place.

He cleared his throat with a light cough and smiled, "Thank you, everyone. Seriously."

They all smiled back and he was dragged to sit in front of a big birthday cake. There was the number 16 as candles.

"Happy birthday to you~. Happy birthday to you~."

Kim Dokja now valued the voice pheromones kids. It was also a bit awkward not knowing what to do while everyone sang for him. Should he also clap? Should he just wait until they finished to blow the candles?

"Happy birthday, Kim Dokja. Happy birthday to you~!"

Still, even with the torturous singing and the doubts, he knew deep in his heat that he wouldn't trade this happiness—these people—for anything.

He blew the candles and everyone cheered while ruffling his hair or taking a bit of cream of the cake to paint his nose.

There was an intense game of UNO and Twister where they almost burned the diner and some limbs were almost literally twisted. Kim Dokja swore he saw his life pass through his eyes for a second when he had to twist his body in order to touch the damn green with his right foot and try to not fall in the process.

He had so, so much fun that day. Just like in the sports festival, he ended up falling asleep with Han Sooyoung and Biyoo on the floor. This time with no worries of someone kidnapping her nor using him.

He was able to smile freely now.

Lee Sookyung opened the letter sent by her son. Thanks to the help of Persephone and Hades, they were able to write letters to each other (with them being inspected by both the prison and school institutions before being sent out).

Dear Mother,

Yesterday it was Valentine's day and it was chaotic, to say the least. I have never thought giving and receiving chocolates could be compared to going to war but I guess there is a first time for everything.

And today, everyone pretended to forget my birthday. Joonghyuk took me out (Lee Sookyung could read the erased 'on a date') and he gave me a present before we went back.

Turns out they were preparing a surprise party for me. It was fun. I don't think I have ever had so much fun in my life.

I wish you could be here.

I will wait for you.

There was more stuff in the package. She took them out and found a few pictures along with a box of chocolate and a note.

These are normal chocolates, don't worry. Happy Valentines.

She chuckled before inspecting the pictures.

One was of a group of teenagers all wearing cats or dogs ears and tails, smiling sheepishly. There was also a white fur ball on top of her son's head. Her son surprisingly suited the cat's characteristics. A handsome boy was attached to him wearing dog's ears and a tail, which looked blurry because it had been wagging when the picture was taken. She had learned that that boy was Yoo Joonghyuk some time ago. The others were pointed out with arrows and their names at the end of those arrows.

The other picture was of the same group but more people were added to it. There were three kids, two more teenagers and six adults. She recognized Persephone and Hades but the rest were pointed with the same arrows. There was the headmaster of the middle school section, two teachers and the therapist her son couldn't stop praising.

In both pictures, her son was smiling widely, it looked as if his muscles would hurt later.

Lee Sookyung sighed in bliss.

She had never seen her son so happy like that. It hurt her to not be the one causing such a smile or even being there to see it in person. However, she knew she would one day come out of this place and see it for herself and smile alongside him too.

"Sookyung-ssi."

She turned around and found one of his cellmates and friend, Cho Youngran. She noticed what Lee Sookyung was holding and smiled, "Did your son send you a letter again?"

Lee Sookyung nodded. "He has a lot of friends now."

"That's good."

Someone else chimed in at that moment, "But Sookyung-ah, that means you will have to prepare yourself to look cool when you introduce yourself to them. Every child loves when their moms are cool."

It was Lee Boksoon, another friend she had made in this prison. She was older than most of them but that was why she was wiser and teased everyone better than the rest.

"You are right," Lee Sookyung nodded seriously. "I will have to prepare."

She went back to her cell to write a letter back (the contents: teasing her son).

Someday, she would tease him right in front of his face.

Kim Dokja woke up with half-lidded eyes and a large yawn. He patted the space next to him. It was empty and cold.

He tried to concentrate on his nose and he detected the nice smell of pancakes. He smiled.

He lazily got up and went out of his room. He walked down the hallway and opened a door quite far from his own room.

"Biyoo, it's time to wake up."

"Ba–ah," the stuffed doll rolled around on the bed. Kim Dokja chuckled and closed the door.

If she wanted to sleep more then she could do so. As a stuffed doll, she didn't have the responsibilities humans had, especially human adults.

"Morning," Yoo Joonghyuk greeted as he flipped a pancake.

"Good morning," he kissed the chef's cheek and sat down in front of the already full plate. His stomach rumbled at that moment.

"Where are we supposed to meet?" Yoo Joonghyuk asked, placing another full plate on the table and started digging in.

"Guwon, your favorite restaurant."

Yoo Joonghyuk hummed at that and they started eating in silence.

A few years had passed by. Uriel, Sun Wukong and ABFD did not get selected as Student Council members, much to everyone's relief. But then the trio graduated a year later and became idols, much to everyone's surprise. The entire school used their songs in festivities, festivals and parties.

Kim Dokja's friends graduated too and they all started a career where their alices could be used or just something they found pleasure in doing. For example, Han Sooyoung published a book she had been writing in the academy (using Kim Dokja as an editor) and she made it big, securing a job for her now official editor and easing his worries of his future (even though he had a big inheritance from his parents). He rejected the offer of being one of the headmasters, he just wanted a peaceful life and to live outside with his friends.

Yoo Joonghyuk loved playing games. So, he decided to use his looks and talents to pursue a career in Pro-Gaming. He obviously made it big too.

Lee Jihye, Kim Namwoon and the kids were still in school but everyone made sure to visit at every chance they got (which weren't many considering the school's policies but they made it work).

Everything passed by peacefully, especially his relationship with Yoo Joonghyuk. Sure, they fought a few times from different opinions but it wasn't something big nor serious enough to even think about breaking up.

The thought never even crossed their minds. They'd rather die than parting.

Now, today, it was the day when Lee Sookyung, his mother, would be released from prison. Kim Dokja's friends all promised to gather at Guwon and celebrate with them.

After graduating from the academy, he made weekly visits and talked with her until the time was up. However, talking was one thing, touching was something different, something impossible to do in their situation.

But now, he would be able to touch her, to hug her. He felt as if he could finally breathe.

After they finished their breakfast, Kim Dokja said he would wash the dishes and Yoo Joonghyuk nodded while standing up, preparing for his next stream.

Kim Dokja was ordering the plates when his nape was grabbed by a big hand and he was made to turn around, his lips touching Yoo Joonghyuk's. Kim Dokja smiled into the kiss.

When they parted, Kim Dokja couldn't help but ask with a smirk, "Needy much?"

Yoo Joonghyuk frowned and kissed him again to shut him up.

Kim Dokja laughed out loud. His laugh reverberated through the apartment like a harmony and his bright smile blinded Yoo Joonghyuk's sight, making him fall in love with the man once again.

That smile was something Yoo Joonghyuk knew would make him fall in love time and time again.