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"Huh? What about this one?"
"..."
Han Sooyoung was met with Yoo Joonghyuk's piercing glare.
"Are you insane?"
She resisted the urge to hit him on the back of his head.
"What? What's so wrong with it?"
"It's too small."
He didn't provide much explanation other than that. Well, it's not like Han Sooyoung needed much more after seeing it could only hold less than 120 guests.
"It's not that small. I mean how many people are we even inviting?"
She was once again met with a piercing glare.
Damn, who would have thought the protagonist was so particular about weddings?
She tried to remember how she wrote his and Lee Seolhwa's wedding but it was now a distant memory. Kim Dokja probably remembers.
She sighed as Yoo Joonghyuk scratched off the hall's name on their list.
Who would have thought they'd end up planning their wedding together?
It was truly an accident when she found out. Her laptop just happened to crash in the middle of her newest draft, Dokja was out with the rest of the company, and Yoo Joonghyuk was the only one home.
He suggested (after Sooyoung's pestering) using his computer instead, while he takes hers to get repaired.
She was halfway through rewriting her draft when she got the idea. Does Yoo Joonghyuk delete his search history? He doesn't seem like the type to be ashamed of it or ask anything to be shameful of.
As these thoughts flashed through her mind; she maliciously clicked out of her writing software and into his history.
Her expansive smile faded away when she saw the latest three results.
All were wedding related. Including 'Ring shops near me.'
Now, her first reaction was to laugh and go tease him about it. But then the realization hit her.
He was planning to propose.
To them.
A little heat dusted her cheeks.
Damn, protagonist bastard… Han Sooyoung wasn't sure why she was cursing him, it just felt right.
She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't realize that the very protagonist bastard she just cursed was standing in the doorway.
"Han Sooyoung."
She snapped out of her reminiscing when a voice called out her name.
"Huh? What? What do you want, damn bastard."
Bastard? Yoo Joonghyuk felt his forehead twitch. What was she cursing him for now?
" You weren't listening." He made it a point that whatever she was mad about couldn't top her rudeness.
"Hah? Says who?" She avoided Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes.
"Then what did I say last?"
Han Sooyoung clicked her tongue. "So childish, how can I repeat verbatim?"
"..."
"Childish," Yoo Joongyuk echoed. "I never said verbatim."
"Then you should have clarified."
Yoo Joonghyuk's hand twitched, reaching down to grab the sword that no longer rests on his waist.
Damn, she's done it now.
"Heh, alright alright! I give up. What did you say?"
Yoo Joonghyyk sighed as if he aged 10 years just by having a conversation with her.
"This one. Let's do this one."
Her breath caught when she peeked at the screen.
As much as she hated to admit it, this one was good. In fact, better than good.
"It's alright." It was great, but not perfect. "We'll tab this one…"
Yoo Joonghyuk glanced at her before nodding. He didn't say anything.
Han Sooyoung felt a little embarrassed. Why did she have to do this with him? Well, it's probably better than doing it with Kim Dokja.
After Joonghyuk was caught, they decided it was better to research and then propose together. Actually, searching for wedding venues was something they should do with Kim Dokja after they propose, but maybe they got a little overzealous.
They made the excuse that Kim Dokja would panic and either procrastinate or rush preparations, so it would just be easier to do it ahead of time.
But, in actuality, they couldn't wait.
Yes, they were also 100% sure Kim Dokja would accept their proposal.
Proposing or even marrying the other two in a 'normal' way was foreign to them. They've never even said the words 'I love you' and would probably rather implode on the spot than do so.
That's why it was kinda nice to do something the 'normal' way, instead of traveling across worlds or writing a novel for 13 years for the other.
Han Sooyoung sighed as she flipped through the list of things to do.
Could three people even get legally married to each other? Well, they already experienced the apocalypse so who really cares about people's sexuality? She glanced at the note to ask Yoo Sangah to officiate the wedding. When do we send out the invitations, do we ask Lee Sookyung or Hades and Persephone fir-
Han Sooyung abruptly stopped in her thoughts.
"Hey."
Yoo Joonghyuk, who was still searching through a site, signaled for her to speak.
Use your words, punk… "How do you think Dokja's parents would react to him getting married? Hades and Persephone will obviously be delighted but what about his mom-"
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him suddenly flinch.
"Hey, what's up with you- Oh…"
Han Sooyoung tried to hold back her laughter but a snicker still managed to leak out.
"That's right, Kim Dokja's mom doesn't like you."
"Han Sooyoung."
Yoo Joonghyuk looked at her with his signature 'I'm going to choke you to death' glare. Hey, shouldn't you only look at Kim Dokja with that glare? He might get jealous.
After she managed to stop her shoulders from shaking she spoke.
"Don't worry, she's at least going to accept me. Kim Dokja and I will add your name in secret and enjoy the wedding by ourselves, we'll be sure to tell you how it is."
She initially wanted to tease him before she stopped. His glare looked a little different from before…
Don't tell me he's actually worried about this?
"That…" She paused, wondering if she would regret this. "We'll come up with the perfect plan."
"A plan?" He finally spoke.
"Yeah!" She pushed up her glasses that became tilted from her laughter. "A plan to win over Kim Dokja's mom."
This time she was met with a blank stare.
"What? His mom loves me, I know enough about her to know I can successfully win her over!"
Yoo Joonghyuk sighed. "Fine, what do you have in mind?"
"Heh, don't worry, it's genius."
*
That's how they ended up at Lee Sookyung's house the next day. Luckily, they were able to bribe the kids to distract Kim Dokja, but it wasn't easy.
"Huh? Why should we? Are you trying to do something weird to Hyung?!"
Gilyoung spoke with a fierce glare.
"It's none of your business." Yoo Joonghyuk glared right back.
"Hah?" Sooyoung smacked him on the back of his head. "Don't listen to him." This guy's not good with kids at all! He's only nice to his little sister! Not even Lee Jihye is spared!
"It's a secret but Kim Dokja will be happy, don't worry."
Gilyoung looked unconvinced while Shin Yoosung spoke hesitantly.
"How can we trust you…?"
"Uh…" Do they seem that unreliable? After all they did to bring that ugly squid back!? "We're not trying to prank him or anything, it has something to do with our relationship."
The two kids glanced at each other. They knew about Kim Dokja's relationship with the other two and how much Han Sooyoung and Yoo Joonghyuk meant to their father figure.
"Then, we'll do it."
This sentence wasn't said by Lee Gilyoung or Shin Yoosung but by another, less-human child of Kim Dokja's.
"Biyoo."
Biyoo smiled mischievously. She rarely spoke words and usually stayed in her Dokkaebi form.
"If it's for Ahjussi's happiness we'll do anything, right?"
So, with the help of Biyoo, they were able to convince the kids to distract Kim Dokja to ask his mother for the fool's hand in marriage.
"Alright, just leave the talking to me."
Looking at Yoo Joonghyuk nodding, Han Sooyoung suddenly realized her words were wasted. She might have to ask him to talk, not the other way around.
Han Sooyoung sighed. This should go well, right?
*
They sat on a plush white couch, a tea set was placed in front of them on a glass table. Most of Kim Dokja's Company stayed together in one house but some of them had separate residences. Lee Sookyung had her own house and rarely stayed over at theirs but she often visited when she could, mostly to strengthen her relationship with her son.
Lee Sookyung leisurely took a sip of tea. Much like her son, he had an aura of dominance that made one feel like she had the upper hand even if she didn't.
When it was Kim Dokja, it made you want to beat him up, but with Lee Sookyung it was respectable.
"It's rare for you two to come over together."
Han Sooyoung often visited and chatted over tea much like now, while Yoo Joonghyuk seemed to avoid Lee Sookyung. Well, unless it was actually Lee Sookyung avoiding Yoo Joonghyuk instead. The only other times they visited was with Kim Dokja, specifically the time when they told Lee Sookyung about their relationship.
Her reaction wasn't too strange. She was delighted about Han Sooyoung and Kim Dokja but when it came to the fact that Yoo Joonghyuk was also part of the relationship she muttered a simple, "Well, that's to be expected." And nothing more.
In short, it was extremely suspicious that Yoo Joonghyuk and Han Sooyoung came together without Kim Dokja.
"Yes, we have something to ask of you…"
Han Sooyoung decided to get straight to the point.
"Don't be so stiff, have some tea." Lee Sookyung gave an almost knowing smile.
Han Sooyoung felt uncharacteristically nervous, seriously what was there to worry about? She could only imagine what Yoo Joonghyuk was feeling right now.
She glanced over to check his expression only to feel angry the moment she saw it.
This bastard didn't look nervous at all!
He didn't take the suggestion to drink the tea but instead appeared more relaxed as if he was obediently listening to Lee Sookyung's words about being less stiff.
Damn it! Am I the only one here worried?
With newfound anger, Han Sooyoung threw away her worries and spoke upfront.
"We want to marry your son."
She could practically feel both their stares suddenly grow hot on her face.
Don't look at me like that!
Lee Sookyung took a breath and sipped more tea.
"I see."
They both nodded.
Being direct was Han Sooyoung's plan all along, she was sure Lee Sookyung would accept their proposal. She wouldn't let her jealousy of Yoo Joonghyuk affect her son's happiness!
There's no way she'll decline!
"Hm, I'm sorry but I'll have to decline."
Han Sooyoung almost spat out her tea. Yoo Joonghyuk looked tense, he glared at Han Sooyoung with a look that said 'I thought you had a plan?'
"That, um…can we ask why?"
Lee Sookyung nodded.
"I don't want to get in the way of your relationship, it's just…What's the point of marriage?" She waved her hand. "It's nothing more than a certificate and an expensive way to say you're in a relationship."
Han Sooyoung paused. It was hard to refute her words. Why did they want to get married?
"Tax benefits." Your son is currently a free-loader in my house, he needs some kind of benefits!
"Hm, in this economy?" Lee Sookyung was quick to respond.
"..."
"Well, yeah, it's rebuilding quickly and…"
"Can three people even get married?"
That was something Han Sooyoung was thinking about herself!
"Then, we don't have to be legally married!" Han Sooyoung quickly refuted.
"Then what's the point of tax benefits?"
Critical hit!
Han Sooyoung was stunned speechless. She could feel Yoo Joonghyuk’s stare practically burning a hole in the back of her head.
“Perhaps it’s better to rethink your decision to marry. No need to rush, you have plenty of time ahead of you.”
Lee Sookyung placed her empty teacup on the glass table with a loud tap.
Han Sooyoung’s shoulders slumped. But… Her eyes looked a little lost. I was really excited to get married now.
Getting married to the two fools she cherished was practically dooming herself for life. But weren’t they already past that point? She basically breathed life into the two of them, how’s a fancy ceremony going to change their relationship? They were more entwined than any other married couple in the world!
So, if there was no reason to get married, then there was no reason not to get married!
She wanted a fancy wedding cake to smash it in Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk’s faces, God Dammit!
That’s why she wasn’t going to give up. She was going to-
“Then we’ll get married without your permission.”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s voice resounded through the room.
“Oh?”
Lee Sookyung’s facial expression didn’t change much except for her slightly widened eyes. Han Sooyoung almost slapped him right there. What bullshit was he spewing now!
She shot him a ‘Hey, I thought you promised you weren’t going to say anything?’ glare. He shot back with a ‘Promise? I never promised anything,’ glare.
“If we can’t get legally married anyway, what’s the point of going through other traditions?”
Hey, you bastard. I just realized the only reason I’m doing it is for the traditions! Han Sooyoung was a little angry but she now understood what direction he was going.
“I see, but are you sure-”
Yoo Joonghyuk cut her off. “We could always ask Hades and Persephone instead.”
This time Han Sooyung kicked him under the table. Lee Sookyung’s face twitched. “Then I suppose I have no choice but to give you my blessing if I wish to attend?”
Han Sooyoung spoke before Yoo Joonghyuk could. “We’d send it regardless…”
Lee Sookyung sighed. “Can I ask you something?”
They nodded.
“Why are you so adamant about this?”
Han Sooyoung paused. It would be strange to respond with a “Why not?” But it was true. She just wanted to marry the two people she cherished most in this world. After everything they've been through together, what was so wrong with that?
The image of them having fun and teasing each other was firm in her mind. The company would be there, the kids fighting, Lee Jihye drunk crying while Lee Hyunsung would be crying with her as Jung Heewon attempted to console them. While gift-giving Yoo Sangah and Lee Seolhwa would congratulate them with large smiles. Han Sooyoung would tease Yoo Joonghyuk about having his ex-wife at his wedding while also teasing Kim Dokja for ruining his own ship. They would cut the cake with one of their swords, probably Yoo Joonghyuk’s to annoy him or maybe use Lee Hyunsung who would most likely happily offer himself up. Of course, the ceremony would be quick and they would soon be home with the night nothing more than a dream.
She really wanted that.
“Why else do most people get married?”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s voice brought Han Sooyoung out of her thoughts. His words were so simple and so obvious yet…
“I see. Then I give you my blessing.”
They both snapped their heads up.
“Really…?”
Lee Sookyung had a subtle smile on her face.
“Of course, how could I refuse my son getting married?”
Huh? Don’t tell me…
“But what you said before…?”
“Oh, that? I apologize for worrying you, I just wanted to see if you were serious.”
They were duped! Does scamming run in the family?
Han Sooyoung wondered why she even bothered to be polite. Luckily, Yoo Joonghyuk remained polite for the both of them as he bowed forward.
“Thank you for your permission.”
Han Sooyoung reluctantly followed suit.
*
Han Sooyoung breathed in the fresh air. Her plan was clearly successful even if it went a little off the rails for a moment. But that’s to be expected when something involves Kim Dokja. That fool manages to ruin everything even when he’s not here!
At that moment Yoo Joonghyuk spoke.
“I want a divorce."
This guy? "Since when did you make jokes? I don't remember writing that in your character setting."
Well, the gap moe is what sells anyways.
"Huh? When did you two get married?"
Kim Dokja, blissfully unaware, had at some point shown up. He sandwiched himself between the two of them.
"Shut up, Kim Dokja."
Yoo Joonghyuk and Han Sooyoung spoke in unison.
“Where’s the kids?” Han Sooyoung asked.
He looked at them suspiciously before forming his signature annoying smile. “I just sent them back.”
“Kim Dokja.” Yoo Jooonghyuk’s voice was a little viscous, making the two of them flinch. “What are you doing here?”
Huh, that’s right! What is he doing here!?
Kim Dokja sheepishly scratched the back of his head. “Gilyoung and Yoosung were acting strange so I managed to get them to tell me why…”
Kim Dokja suddenly felt pain on the back of his neck, he was hit! Han Sooyoung had finally got the chance to vent her anger and felt a little refreshed.
“Don’t go scamming kids!”
Like mother, like son.
“No? Who said anything about scamming?”
He was met with both of their glares.
“...”
“But, why did you two need to talk to-”
He was abruptly cut off.
“It’s none of your business, Kim Dokja!”
With that, they both swiftly turned around, leaving Kim Dokja in the dust.
He laughed as he rubbed the back of his head.
Well, he could always annoy it out of them later.