Chapter Text
The next morning, Yoo Joonghyuk wakes up at around 8am, which is his optimal wake-up time for weekends. It’s a Saturday, and after freshening up and making his bed, Joonghyuk decides to go grocery shopping with his sister.
After breakfast, the siblings leave their house hand in hand, with Yoo Mia skipping and Yoo Joonghyuk making sure she doesn’t trip over stray rocks or something. The morning air is crisp, with the birds chirping and the sun peeking behind the curtain of fluffy, white clouds.
According to Google Maps, a popular grocery store– and the only one in town– is located 6 blocks from their home, which is a 15 minute walking distance. ‘Well,’ Joonghyuk thought. ‘At least I'll get a short morning walk out of this errand.’
Barely 5 minutes into their walk, the siblings heard the sound of–
‘Police sirens?’
Then they saw it.
Across the street on the 2nd block, there was a huge commotion. Policemen formed a barricade around the curb of the footpath, blocking the general public from entering the scene of crime, at least that's what Yoo Joonghyuk assumed.
Curiosity getting the better of him, he decided to check it out, although he had to be careful with Mia by his side.
Gripping her hand tightly, he only had to make eye contact with her for her to understand what he was saying.
‘No matter what, don't let go of my hand.’
Well, she wasn't planning on doing that anyway.
As the duo approached the crowd, they slowly began to understand what was going on. With whispers like hey, did another one escape? i thought they locked them up securely there and this one looks pretty messed up , Yoo Joonghyuk quickly picked up what had happened.
Firstly, this was most likely a usual occurrence, if the townspeople's reactions were anything to go by.
Secondly, as he assessed the area, he realised it was not anything to be panicking about, which finally reduced his growing anxiousness.
Thirdly, ‘there’ most probably referred to the infamous prison facility in the town, Tartarus. Before moving to an unknown town, obviously Yoo Joonghyuk had done an incredible amount of research on it online, in which he mostly found articles describing the top-notch interrogation systems operated by the police of this town, the advanced lock up security systems, and much to Joonghyuk's dismay, cases of prison escapes. The only relief he had was the fact that these escapes were quite rare and always taken care of quickly, so much so that no incident had happened regarding it so far. It was a tiny con in comparison to the huge pros this town offered. But now, Yoo Joonghyuk was rethinking his decision.
Maybe he shouldn't have moved to this tow–
“Looking at him, it's obvious Dokja-ssi was in-charge of him.”
Huh?
“Yeah, it's pretty obvious. His methods give the best results, sure, but it's almost too brutal.”
“Do you even know his methods?”
“Nah, as if he goes around telling everyone. He's the best there is in the field however, so whatever he's doing must be monitored by his superiors. Right?”
“Yeah, right. And those escapees definitely deserve it. I trust Dokja-ssi.”
“But is it really necessary to absolutely fuck them up in the head?”
Huh???
“They were already fucked up in the head if they got sent to Tartarus in the first place.”
Yoo Joonghyuk tried connecting the dots, ‘Did they just mention Dokja? The mysterious boy from the coffee shop? He's a police officer??’
Before he could try to find whose conversation he had just eavesdropped on, he heard the sound of an engine revving.
That's when he saw him.
The pretty boy from the coffee shop, who looked shy at first glance and the epitome of unnatural beauty, was pulling up in front of the crime scene in his BMW sports bike, the sunlight reflecting from its white surface. His previously carefree and mischievous demeanor replaced by a sense of authority and intense focus, making the crowd part before him like the red sea. His aura commanded respect and awe from those around him, so jarringly different from his personality before that Joonghyuk was left staring agape at him. The navy blue uniform stretched across the expanse of his chest, tight at the biceps, and hugging his waist perfectly,– how the fuck was his waist so small– highlighting his hourglass figure. He almost looked like a figment of Joonghyuk's imagination.
And wow, what the fuck was oxygen again.
As he walked to the scene, Joonghyuk noticed a sharp metallic glint from his collarbone, and soon realised it was a sword shaped necklace he was adorning.
He seemed to be saying something important, judging by how the crowd listened to him raptly with full attention, but Yoo Joonghyuk couldn't hear anything, couldn't see how the crowd had started to disperse before him, his eyes glued to the enigmatic boy a few metres in front of him.
‘Gay panic’ a voice disturbingly similar to Han Sooyoung's rang out in his head. He couldn't even disagree.
“Oppa, why are you all red like a tomato?” Yoo Mia asked her brother, finally breaking him out of his stupor.
Relaxing his face down to neutrality, he turned to his sister. “No, I'm not. You're seeing things.” He never wanted to stoop this low as to gaslighting his own sister, but it was a matter of his reputation at this point.
“You can't fool me.” Yoo Mia deadpanned.
Plan failed successfully.
“Mia–”
“Restrain him!”
Startled, Yoo Joonghyuk looked ahead just in time to see the prisoner, in a horrible state really, try to run from the police. Fortunately, he was no match for Dokja and his fast reflexes, as he caught the man and twisted his arms behind his back, cuffing him.
No, Yoo Joonghyuk did not find that hot. Nope.
Eventually the road cleared as the policemen took the prisoner away in their vehicle, and the siblings were free to resume their journey to the grocery store. Yoo Joonghyuk had a lot of questions though, and just as he thought of how to even start comprehending everything that just happened, a voice sounded into his ear.
“You sure do like staring, Hyuk-ah.”
Barely restraining his flinch, he turned to look at the owner of the voice to maybe curse at him, but again was rendered speechless, because lo and behold, it was none other than the famous Dokja. When did he even come near him?
“Dokja.”
“What are you doing here, Hyuk-ah?” Dokja asked him, still leaning into his personal space.
“We were going grocery shopping, ahjussi.” Mia answered for her brother.
Meanwhile, Yoo Joonghyuk was conveniently distracted by Dokja's– Kim Dokja, that's what his name tag said– collarbones, visible because of course, the top two buttons of his shirt were left open.
“I'm not an ahjussi… well, whatever. You should carry on, and don't worry about whatever happened here. It's a pretty common occurrence, haha.” Kim Dokja reassured them, and before he could notice Yoo Joonghyuk's panic, he tried to distract him.
“Aren't you in university? Why are you also a police officer?” Joonghyuk asked.
“Oh uh,” Kim Dokja backed away, appearing sheepish. “I am, actually. I'm in my 3rd year, studying criminal justice, so our internships have started already.”
Yoo Joonghyuk found that hard to believe, considering what he heard from those bystanders before, and it must have shown on his face because Kim Dokja sighed. “I guess you don't believe me. Well, criminology is what this town is famous for. And, Tartarus is located here. So the systems are different here. You don't know this town, Hyuk-ah.”
“Then how are you so well-known if you've only been interning for less than a year?” Joonghyuk asked again because something here was not adding up, something was wrong–
“I guess I'm just too good at my job.” Dokja smirked, back to his playful demeanor, effectively annoying Joonghyuk.
“Tell me the truth, Kim Dokja.” he demanded, burning holes into the other with his glare.
“Oppa, stop scaring him away! We're late for shopping!” Yoo Mia intervened, much to Dokja's relief.
“I'm speaking the truth, though.” he pouted , tilting his head and batting his ridiculously long eyelashes at Joonghyuk. “Or do you not trust me, Hyuk-ah?”
Yeah, no. Joonghyuk needs to leave ASAP.
“I- tch, you're a menace, Kim Dokja. Let's go, Mia.”
“Bye, Joonghyuk! Call me later, sweetheart.” He giggled as he walked away, not noticing Joonghyuk's burning ears and neck.
“Why did he call you that, Oppa? And why are you red again? Do you have a fever?”
Yoo Joonghyuk was going to kill that bastard.
_____________________________
Shopping took them 3 hours– it would've taken a lot less time if Mia hadn't disappeared for 10 minutes and returned by her brother's side at the checkout counter sporting doe eyes, a mini cart of chocolates and chips in her hand, and one utterance of the word ‘please’ to her brother (cue Joonghyuk glaring at the people behind them in line as the employee hurried to scan the newly added items while sweating bullets).
When they finally returned home, it was almost lunchtime. After telling Yoo Mia to clean up, Yoo Joonghyuk put all the shopping bags on the counter in the kitchen and started his second favourite activity after gaming, and that was cooking. It brought him peace and calm, which he, as a University student, very desperately needed. He couldn't wait to put on his headphones and get to work without anyone to bother him–
Ding!
Uh.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Oh no, not the witch.
Maybe if he ignores it long enough, she'll get fed up and leave-
“Joonghyuk, open up! I know you're in there!” came Han Sooyoung's muffled voice, the mahogany door failing to hide the smirk evident in her barely audible voice.
He's not even going to reply, she'll probably leave any second now.
“Dokja is with me!”
Yoo Joonghyuk had never run faster in his life.
“Han Sooyoung.” Joonghyuk glared at her, before turning to the man beside her, who was still in his police uniform. “Kim Dokja.”
Kim Dokja looked up at him, smiling. “Hey there, Hyuk-ah. Miss me?” the corners of his lips turned up slightly. “I hope we're not bothering you.”
“Come in.” Joonghyuk spoke.
“Oh, great, you two already know each other. Thanks for saving me the trouble of introducing you two morons.” Han Sooyoung chirped, before barging into his house like the shameless witch she was. “Now, what's for lunch?”
Well, there go Joonghyuk's plans of having a quiet afternoon to himself.
☆
Surprisingly, but also not surprisingly, Kim Dokja was good with kids, if his and Mia's interactions throughout lunch were anything to go by. Although Mia seemed wary at first, she warmed up to him far too quicker than Joonghyuk would've liked.
Lunch was done and over with, and Joonghyuk and Sooyoung were putting away the dishes– (“You were the one who barged in uninvited, at least have some manners and put the dishes in the cleaning rack,” Joonghyuk glared. “Or I'll never feed you Murim Dumplings ever again.” “Fine, you bastard.” Sooyoung begrudgingly got to work, as Joonghyuk let a self-satisfied smirk slip onto his face.) – while Dokja read Mia's favourite fantasy storybook to her, mimicking various cartoonish voices according to her whims.
Joonghyuk had to admit that the sight was… endearing.
“How long are you going to stare at him?” Sooyoung suddenly spoke.
“What.”
“Just talk to him, I promise he doesn't bite- unless you want him to, that is.” then she has the audacity to wink at him.
“What's wrong with you?” Joonghyuk asked, shooting a disgusted look at her, trying to conceal his embarrassment at being caught.
“By the way,” Sooyoung started, completely ignoring his question. “He'll kill me if he finds out I told you this, but he's actually a huge fan of yours.”
Well, that was a pleasant surprise for Joonghyuk.
She continued, “So stop making heart eyes at him in secret and try making a move. Get some dick or whatever.”
“Shut up, Mia is literally right there.” Joonghyuk almost had half a mind to strangle her right then and there. Thankfully, Kim Dokja intervened in time.
“Han Sooyoung! We need to get going!”
“I know, idiot!”
Walking them to the door, Joonghyuk waited as Kim Dokja tied his shoelaces, his hands moving swiftly around the two strings.
Now, why did those hands look so familiar…
“Hyuk-ah, your cooking was great! I don't think I have ever tasted food as good as yours–” Kim Dokja gushed with stars in his eyes.
“That's ‘cause you never eat! You're literally malnutritioned.” Sooyoung added, for which Dokja slapped her arm and told her to shut up before continuing. “Ignore her, she's crazy. It was lovely being here, Joonghyuk-ah. I'll see you around!”
Why was he so adorable, what the fuck.
“You're always welcome here, Mia seems to like having you around.”
“Your sister is a sweetheart, I'm glad she likes me, haha.”
Eventually, after they leave and Yoo Joonghyuk tells Mia to do her homework, tidies up the house and locks all the doors and windows, and retreats to his room to do his own assignments, he suddenly realises two things–
- He probably has a crush.
- For the first time in a very long while, his house feels more like a home.
☆
Two blocks away, Kim Dokja rants to Han Sooyoung.
“His sister is so sweet, Sooyoung. I was scared that she wouldn't like me, but I'm glad she did. But wait, hey, do you think she actually liked me or was just pretending to like me? Oh no, what if she hates me and tells that to her brother, then Joonghyuk will hate me too– No, no, no, that can't be true, right?” He panics.
“Dokja, I don't think an 11-year old has that much of a developed frontal lobe to even think about all of the things you're panicking about.” Sooyoung says, already tired.
“But what if–”
“No, shut up,” she interrupts sternly. “Even I can tell that Yoo Joonghyuk likes– you know, what? I'm not spelling it out for you, it's more fun this way. Just be your natural insufferable bastard self in front of him, and you're good. I have a feeling he's into that shit anyway.” her voice fades at the end.
Kim Dokja stops walking. “Are you sure? I don't really trust you with your compulsive lying tendencies.” he side-eyes her.
“Bitch, fuck you. I hope you die alone.”