Chapter Text
Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t know how to feel about going on a date with a man.
He only ever dated women, but those times were extremely short-lived because he was never interested in any of them at all. In fact, he hated going on those dates. The only reason why he had to put himself out there was because his girls needed someone who would look after them when he couldn’t (and not because he was pressured by them to find someone).
But every single woman he dated always loved to flaunt their assets and show off to him, as if they were practically begging for his attention. The kind of relationship they were looking for was superficial, as their aim was to get into Yoo Joonghyuk’s pants, uncaring about who he actually was as a person. He despised such disgusting standards. Women like that needed to stay away from his kids. That kind of person was not needed in their lives.
It was to the point that even men were a better option than some women. Yoo Joonghyuk wasn’t exactly gay per se, but maybe it was okay to try something new.
Lee Hyunsung was a part of his pro-gamer team. He happened to know a guy that might be interested in someone like Yoo Joonghyuk, and was the very one who brought up the idea to introduce the both of them and try to see if things would click. After all, this “Kim Dokja” fellow was also a single father who adored kids and knew how to take care of them.
As long as they liked kids, they already had a seal of approval in Yoo Joonghyuk’s book.
It’s just… He didn’t think things through when he had agreed to Lee Hyunsung’s idea to date his acquaintance. After all, suddenly dating a man after all those women made him slightly unsure about how things were gonna go. He supposes that he shouldn’t worry too much and go with the flow.
Before he left, he truthfully told the girls that he was going to go on a date with a man this time. To his surprise, not only were they alright with it, they were even rather excited.
“Oppa, you better make sure he’s a good ahjussi or else,” said his little sister Yoo Mia. “If you ended up liking him, immediately bring him here so we can evaluate whether he’s good enough for us- I mean, for you.” she giggled.
“I knew you weren’t entirely straight!” hollered his niece, Lee Jihye. Yoo Joonghyuk’s eye twitched at that. What was that supposed to mean? “Go get ‘em, master!”
Shin Yoosung, who was his adoptive daughter, tugged on his sleeve. Her clear, light brown eyes gazed up at him as she smiled. “Captain, good luck! We don’t care about you liking men, as long as he makes you happy!”
Oddly enough, the girls were more excited that he was going on a date with a man than when he was dating a woman. He was glad that they didn’t care about his potential partner’s gender, but was it normal for them to be so hyped up about it? Especially Lee Jihye, for some reason.
He already feels slight pity for Kim Dokja. The girls seemed to hold a lot of expectations from him, so he could only hope that he was good enough for them…
“You must be Yoo Joonghyuk?”
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. He turned his head and he met the eyes of a politely smiling man by his table.
Yoo Joonghyuk wasn’t the type to go after someone’s looks, but he can say this for sure about Kim Dokja’s appearance: It was plain and unassuming. If Yoo Joonghyuk walked through a crowd with him, he’d easily lose him in it even if they were holding hands. “You’re Kim Dokja?” he asked in slight disbelief. He wanted to make sure if this was who he was supposed to be with, and not someone who was pretending to be his date for the nth time this evening.
Kim Dokja’s shoulders slumped slightly, already guessing that Yoo Joonghyuk was underwhelmed. “I’m sorry. I guess you didn’t expect someone like me to show up, right?”
“That’s not it. Go take a seat.” said Yoo Joonghyuk. He feels himself become a little guilt-ridden as he watches Kim Dokja stiffly slide into his seat in front of him. He knows better than to judge people solely based on their appearance.
“So, uh, nice weather we’re having?” sheepishly says Kim Dokja.
This is happening. He’s starting the date with a man this time. Yoo Joonghyuk sighed inwardly then cleared his throat, preparing to brace himself with his date’s endless chattering. “Indeed,” he replied.
Kim Dokja nods. “Yeah.” To Yoo Joonghyuk’s surprise, their little talk ended there.
“...”
“...”
They spend the next five minutes in an uncomfortable silence. He half-expected Kim Dokja to continue talking, but his date was at a loss. It was as if he was still trying to process that he was actually here on this date with him, so he was a little dazed. Granted, Yoo Joonghyuk was well aware of his own fame and status, so he could guess that Kim Dokja might feel intimidated being in his presence.
Because of the long stretch of awkward silence between them, Yoo Joonghyuk already felt like calling it a day and going home. He found that dating those shameless women was easier than whatever the hell this was. Yoo Joonghyuk shakes his head and prepares to leave, mumbling an apology. “Sorry, but don’t know if this is going to work out.”
Kim Dokja snaps out of his daze and immediately sits up. “Huh? What? What did you say? I’m sorry, I was… I wasn’t listening.”
Was it just him, or was he… “Were you staring at my face?” said Yoo Joonghyuk.
“What? No! Why would I? I mean, yes! Because why wouldn’t I? Haha!” Kim Dokja leans the side of his head on his palm, trying to act casual. “I was just making an observation, that's all.”
Yoo Joonghyuk raises a brow. “What did you manage to observe, then?”
“That’s a very good question. And you see, the answer is that-” Kim Dokja’s cheeks colored, stopping mid-sentence. Now he was curious.
“That?”
“That you look like a…prot’g’n’st.” Kim Dokja trailed off.
Yoo Joonghyuk couldn’t catch that last part. “A what?”
“I mean! I mean, you look a lot more handsome than I expected. Uh, I’m not saying that I didn’t expect you to not be that handsome, but I-you. You know what I mean.” said Kim Dokja, bashfully retreating into his seat.
That was amusing. Yoo Joonghyuk felt his lips try to twitch into a smile. Maybe he’ll give it a few more minutes, and he’ll decide on whether or not this date should continue.
The man sneaks glances at him whenever he thinks he isn't looking, then immediately becomes flustered when their gazes meet. Kim Dokja might not be doing it intentionally, but Yoo Joonghyuk found the demure display of his was a little…cute.
Yoo Joonghyuk was already aware about how this date was more different than the ones he’d been on in the past, where all the girls never quit talking about themselves and were always outright shameless with their advances. The difference was that Kim Dokja was shy and self-conscious, and it seemed like he was afraid of making a bad impression of himself. It was interesting. It made Yoo Joonghyuk want to be the one doing the pursuing this time.
Hmm. Since his date already made a remark about his appearance, he should say something about Kim Dokja’s own. He starts to stare at his face, trying to see if there were any redeemable qualities to it.
Kim Dokja tenses up in his seat. Was there something on his face? In order to avoid Yoo Joonghyuk’s intense gaze, he brings a glass of water to his lips and quietly sips it.
“You…” said Yoo Joonghyuk.
Kim Dokja perks up instantly, setting down his glass.
“Yes?”
If there was anything remarkable about Kim Dokja’s appearance, it would be his eyes. There was something about it that Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t really understand. It glittered under the crappy light above them, reminiscent of the stars that seemed to have held a watchful gaze over him before he entered this restaurant. His lashes were long, he noted, and he starts to think that the man in front of him didn’t look so bad after all.
“Your face is… decent,” he mustered.
Kim Dokja chokes on his water.
Yoo Joonghyuk was taken aback. Did he not like the compliment? It was always best to be truthful with matters concerning beauty.
He could’ve sworn that his date’s eye twitched for a second, but then he watches his lips immediately contort into a tight smile instead. “Ahaha, is that so?” He clicks his tongue, lowering his voice. “I’m sorry we’re not all blessed with protagonist genes like you.”
Yoo Joonghyuk frowns. “Sorry?”
“It’s nothing.” He smiles vaguely. Kim Dokja had said that with a calm demeanor, but little did Yoo Joonghyuk know that he threw his date’s already messy mind into more turmoil. Let’s give Kim Dokja a second for him to go back and recall what led him to this pending disaster of an evening.
Kim Dokja was never really the type to date. He didn’t have the time to, and besides, why date him when they could find someone better? He was just a normal person just trying to get by in life. The only thing that would make him slightly interesting was that he was a single father who takes care of a teenage chuunibyou and an adopted kid who loves insects. He was already happy with their company, even if he comes home to a mess and maybe a few broken appliances…
But Jung Heewon had always insisted that he couldn’t just rely on his boys for company. She firmly stated that he needed someone to grow old with that knows how to cook meals, and could possibly stop him from getting into near-death situations that gives all his friends a scare (it wasn’t his fault that he didn’t know metals shouldn’t go in the microwave!) In any case, it was clear that he needed someone to take care of him while he takes care of the kids. And who’s any better at taking care of a person than someone with experience?
Lee Hyunsung was Jung Heewon’s boyfriend. The thing about boyfriends is that they know a guy or two that could help out their girlfriend’s best friend to find themselves a boyfriend, which was what brought Yoo Joonghyuk to Kim Dokja. How he wished Lee Hyunsung had at least stated the name of his blind date, because no way in hell would he have ever agreed to this.
Because this was who Yoo Joonghyuk was:
- A famous pro gamer with millions of fans across South Korea.
- An unfairly handsome man whose looks were blessed by the Gods above.
- A family man who knew how to take care of kids. And to Kim Dokja, it was one of the hottest things about a person. Don’t try to ask him why.
- Heavy emphasis about him being an unfairly handsome man.
He’s pretty sure he’s already messed up by acting like a bumbling fool as soon as he locked eye contact with him, but who could blame him for acting this way when encountering such a fine specimen of a date? He didn’t know how to initiate a conversation like a normal person, so he waited for Yoo Joonghyuk to start so he wouldn’t attempt to say anything stupid.
It was too late for that, of course. Why couldn’t he stop staring at Yoo Joonghyuk’s face? Why was it so stupidly perfect? Why was it so stupidly handsome? Because of that face, he made a fool of himself!
He didn’t expect him to start fervently staring at him, though.
He also didn’t expect him to say that he had a ‘decent’ face? Was that all he could come up with?
Okay. Kim Dokja knew that he was indeed many leagues short from Yoo Joonghyuk’s own, but he didn’t think that his date would say something so insensitive! He already knew that he can't beat Yoo Joonghyuk in terms of looks!
Since he had the audacity to even say something like that, it wouldn’t matter if Kim Dokja also had his own share of “slip-ups”, right? (He strongly believes that what Yoo Joonghyuk said was a mere slip-up). So he began to talk to Yoo Joonghyuk, finally gaining the confidence he desperately needed for this date.
“Let’s get to know each other a little better, Joonghyuk-ssi.” he smiles at what hoped to be a smile that was something a little more than “decent” this time.
For a while, everything seemed fine as Kim Dokja began a conversation with him. Not feeling anything romantic in the air just yet, but maybe they’ll be able to get there as long as they start feeling comfortable. They’re trying to let themselves get to know each other.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s impression of Kim Dokja was that although he had a plain face and was initially supposed to be someone boring, he could tell that he was an earnest person since he’s attempting to get to know him as a person rather than someone who was interested in his looks alone. He wasn’t a bad man, but he wasn’t sure how exactly he felt about him. Give it a few more dates, and maybe he’d consider letting him meet the girls once he knows he could trust them in his care.
Kim Dokja’s impression of Yoo Joonghyuk was that although the man looks handsome and was good with kids, he could compare his personality to that of a rock. Rather than a date, it felt like he was conducting an interview. Kim Dokja didn’t mind having to be the one to carry the conversation anymore, but Dear God. Did Yoo Joonghyuk’s entire vocabulary consist of grunts and hums? If he was responding like that, would that mean he wasn’t interested? WIth that worry in mind, Kim Dokja had practically made it his mission to elicit any full sentences from the man.
“You're a famous pro gamer,” Kim Dokja said. “I’ve watched a few of your streams before. I find it nice to see people passionate about the things they do, especially if it’s their work. I know I can’t.” he chuckled lightly.
Yoo Joonghyuk nods. “I heard that you’re a salaryman, correct.”
Kim Dokja’s eyes light up. He managed to make him form an entire sentence! He nods his head in a smile, eager to continue. “That’s right. I’m just another slave of capitalism. With the horrible pay they give me at my company, I’m surprised I’m even able to provide for the kids. It’s hard sometimes, but we’re doing well.”
He was a hard-worker too. A respectable enough trait that Yoo Joonghyuk liked. “I’ve heard from Hyunsung that you have two boys.”
Hearing the slightest of changes in Yoo Joonghyuk’s tone made Kim Dokja elated. Not only was he speaking in full sentences, but he’s showing interest! Maybe this wouldn’t end up as badly as he thought it would be. “That’s right. An adopted child and a nephew. Gilyoung-ah is just the sweetest, and Namwoon is…hm. Well, I’m sure that both would love to meet you someday, especially the latter. I think he’s a fan of yours.”
It was good that the Kim family was already aware about who he was. It was also even better that even one of Kim Dokja’s kids already knew about him, meaning he didn’t have to try too hard to earn his kids’ favor if he managed to meet them one day. Since it was already like this, it’s only fair that Kim Dokja got to know a little more about his own family. “I live with 3 girls. My little sister, and my niece. I have an adopted child as well. A daughter.” said Yoo Joonghyuk.
“A daughter?” Kim Dokja wore a thoughtful look. As someone who always had his boys be the center of his life, he wondered what it’d be like if he had eventually gotten together with Yoo Joonghyuk and took care of his girls. It’d be a new experience for sure, since he’s never really met a lot of girls in his life. “You know, I’ve always wondered how it’d feel having a girl as a child. I’d imagine that they’d be more well-behaved than boys” he laughed.
Yoosung is the most well-behaved , thinks Yoo Joonghyuk. Mia and Lee Jihye sometimes just were a bit of a headache to handle sometimes. But he doesn’t decide to reply with that thought and instead frowns at Kim Dokja. He didn’t like the way he worded that sentence. “You seem to be progressing this too fast.” Was this man actually the same as those brazen women? , thought Yoo Joonghyuk. They were just getting to know each other and he immediately thinks that he has the right to envision Yoosung as one of his own.
Kim Dokja was puzzled at the sudden change of tone. He then reddens, suddenly realizing how he phrased his words. “I-I didn’t mean it that way! I promise I’m not getting ahead of myself here. All I was thinking about was that they’re the more level-headed ones in a sibling relationship. If there were someone like that who's at Gilyoung’s age, maybe he’d have a friend and wouldn’t feel as lonely as he is right now.”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s frown deepened further. “If you’re making your kids feel that way, then you’re doing a bad job as a parent.” Maybe it was wrong to think that Kim Dokja could actually take care of children if he ever makes them feel a moment of dissatisfaction in their life. He took parenting very seriously and always strived to give his girls everything that they deserved.
Kim Dokja straightens his back. His expression darkened for a second, but he retained his composure. “...Joonghyuk-ssi, I don’t think you know me or my children enough to even say that.”
“Why else would you state that your child feels that way?”
“Gilyoung-ah is a shy child so he has trouble interacting with kids his own age. And because of the age gap between him and his cousin, he sometimes finds it hard to relate to him. It’s inevitable that he’d feel lonely. All I was trying to say was that maybe your daughter would be able to get along with Gilyoung-ah considering their similar situations.”
Yoo Joonghyuk lets out a mere “Hmph.”
Wow. This guy was a bit of an asshole, huh? Not even an apology after misunderstanding his sentence. Kim Dokja continued on with a tight smile, noticing that the tense atmosphere hasn’t gone away yet. “Look, Joonghyuk-ssi. I really do my best for my kids. But sometimes, they just can’t help but not be satisfied with what I do for them because in truth, we’re a bit of a struggling family. So if you still view me as doing a bad job for letting my son feel that way, I’d like to remind you that we parents aren’t perfect, and that we sometimes can’t control the way they feel. Anyways, I’m sure Joonghyuk-ssi has encountered a situation where he can’t be able to satisfy his children instantly, right? No one can truly be the perfect parent.”
Yoo Joonghyuk narrows his eyes. He couldn’t be any more wrong. None of the girls ever spoke of their grievances to him, much less giving the feeling of loneliness. Besides the fact that he needed a partner for the kids, he might as well be considered as the “perfect parent” due to how well he takes care of their physical and emotional needs. “I do a better job than you, at least.”
“…”
Kim Dokja takes a deep breath. Then exhales. He could not be hearing this right now. He gets that Yoo Joonghyuk was protective of his children and that he wanted Kim Dokja to be up to his standard in parenting, but this was too much. You know what? He will not back down because of those words. He had his own pride as a parent and he won’t let it get destroyed by his asshole of a date.
He smiled, eyes curving into crescents. “This is a date, right? We should try to enjoy it, so let’s just order some food now.” He calls over a waiter, and the two briskly order their food as they weren’t actually in the mood.
Before the waiter leaves, Kim Dokja clasps his hands together innocently and makes a request to him. “Wait, before you go, I’d like you to ask the chef to please make the food perfect in every aspect for my date here. I’d like everything for him to be free of any flaws , since it seems like he can’t seem to handle the fact that imperfections exist .”
“What are you saying?” Yoo Joonghyuk furrowed his brows. His date was acting strange all of a sudden.
Kim Dokja was exasperated. Does his date not understand the reason why he was feeling so bitter? “I don’t know, Joonghyuk-ssi. You seem to be such a perfect parent, it’s only right for your food to be up to standard too.”
The way he said that left a bad taste on Yoo Joonghyuk’s tongue. So he was getting worked up over his opinion on his parenting. He glared at him. “This and that are different.”
“You sure? Just by talking to you, I can figure out that you’re the type of person to take one look at the food and storm into the kitchen, demanding for it to be cooked the way you’d like it. And when you’re still not satisfied, you’ll do it yourself and show off your culinary prowess just like the Gary Sue protagonist you are.” scowled Kim Dokja.
Yoo Joonghyuk snorted. As a matter of fact, he took pride in his cooking. His teammates and his family were always in awe with what he made for them, no matter the occasion. If only he would say that aloud, then maybe Kim Dokja would settle down a bit. Maybe they can ditch this second-rate restaurant and invite Kim Dokja to his home in order for him to have a taste of his food, all to show off to his date and gain favorability points. But Yoo Joonghyuk was Yoo Joonghyuk. The thought of turning this situation into something romantic didn’t even bother to cross his mind. No, instead, he goes ahead and says this: “And if I can cook better?”
Not knowing that he actually was better than these second-rate cooks, Kim Dokja rolls his eyes. Lee Hyunsung wanted him to date this man? “Wow. Okay. God, you are one of those narcissistic bastards. Out of all the people I would’ve gone on a date with…”
Yoo Joonghyuk grits his teeth, veins starting to protrude on his temples. “Kim. Dok.Ja.” He growled. In anger, he had unconsciously gripped the nearest thing on the table, which was his table knife.
Kim Dokja’s eyes flickered to the utensil, then his lips tilt up into a mocking smirk. “Calm down there, I don’t think I’ve said anything that would be worth my murder. Not saying that I’m afraid of death, but wouldn’t Joonghyuk-ssi not be able to get anything out of this? How would your girls react if you came home covered in your date’s blood? Is that the kind of extent you’d go to just to prove that you’d remove dirty imperfections such as me out of your prissy life? How admirable of you. So admirable that you can go ahead and be my guest.” he gestures to his chest, right above where his heart was.
Where the hell did the shy and timid salaryman go? He was now replaced with an insolent fool that was filled to the brim with snark. If he didn’t stop talking and spewing out nonsense, then Yoo Joonghyuk might actually consider taking on that offer. “That’s one way of saying that you no longer want to take care of your kids.” he said snidely, crossing his arms. “Are you that desperate to be put out of your misery?”
Kim Dokja abruptly stands up, anger filling his veins. THIS BASTARD! How dare he even think he’d try to imply that! “You son of a bitch! You know that’s not what I meant! ”
This back and forth exchange continued on for the next half hour, making everyone who witnessed it cower back. They’ve never heard an argument as hateful as this! Weren’t these two men trying to date each other? What led them to wanting to kill each other!?
“...S-sir, I’d like you and your date to please calm down-” stammered their waiter. He had been brutally ignored by the two men ever since the start of their argument, so he didn’t know why he’d think it’ll work this time. The kitchen staff also attempted to help him stop the bickering men, but it was futile to even try. The both of them were off in their own world. If they decided to hand them swords, they wouldn’t be surprised if they started exchanging blows while destroying each other’s pride and their surroundings.
But in the end, it was Kim Dokja who dealt the toughest blow. “I suppose your bastard energy is the reason why your long term girlfriend broke up with you.” he sneered.
There were a few loud gasps. Customers and staff alike held a hand over their mouths in dismay. Everyone knows that you can never bring up the ex to your date!
Ignoring the gawking stares, Yoo Joonghyuk gives him an ice cold glare. How bold of his date to ever bring her up. He had never felt a stronger urge to kill than right now. “She left because she wanted to pursue her studies in medicine. Not because of me.” he simmered.
Kim Dokja was unaware of his date’s homicidal urges and continued to provoke him mercilessly. “Really? Was it the only reason? Because I find it very hard to believe.” he snarled.
That was the last straw. Yoo Joonghyuk’s hands instantly found their way to Kim Dokja’s neck.
There were horrified screams everywhere. Even while being throttled, Kim Dokja was letting out choked laughter, as if daring Yoo Joonghyuk to actually kill him. “Khk- haha, you’re just-” he gasped. “Angry ‘cause it’s the truth- gkh!”
“HE’S GOING TO DIE! I CAN’T WATCH THIS!”
“THEN STOP WATCHING AND HELP OUT?!”
“OH MY GOD, SOMEONE CALL THE POLICE! THE POLICE!”
If you told everyone who witnessed the near murder that took place in that quaint little restaurant that this was the start of the two’s blooming romance, they’ll most likely look at you in horror. But what better way to start any romance with someone by letting one of you go through a near-death experience?
.
.
.
“And that was the start of our story.” Chirped Kim Dokja. He was currently on Yoo Joonghyuk’s lap, chuckling slightly as his boyfriend nuzzled into his shoulder. “After that, we-”
“Woah woah woah wait. Sane people never start their romance by almost killing their potential partner!" Han Sooyoung screeched. “In any case, how the actual fuck did that-” her face scrunches up in disgust as she watched Kim Dokja snuggle into Yoo Joonghyuk’s arms contentedly. "-end up turning into that? !"
Kim Dokja scoffed, "Didn't you guys assume we were a couple when we first met? Why is it suddenly so unbelievable that we’re a thing now?"
"It was because I thought you guys were a pair of divorced lovers! Just what happened between the two of you that turned you into a massive simp, and him into Mr. Cuddles?” exclaimed Han Sooyoung, deliberately ignoring Yoo Joonghyuk’s warning growl.
Kim Dokja's eyes gleamed as he reminisced about the past, grinning as he felt Yoo Joonghyuk’s lips curve into a smile. "Well, it took a couple of coincidental meetups, two more instances of getting throttled, and most importantly..."
"A trip to South Africa."