Chapter Text
Kim Dokja had always been a creature of habit. His morning started with the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting from the kitchen and the soft glow of his laptop screen as he checked his emails. Yoo Joonghyuk, his companion of many years, would shuffle around the kitchen in a pair of pants and a worn-out sweater, his curly hair sticking up at odd angles.
They had met in college and somehow, despite their contrasting personalities and frequent disagreements, ended up sharing an apartment during the college and for years post-graduation. It was a practical decision, born from the desire to keep costs low and then a reluctance to let go of the weird but comfortable companionship they had built. It was just...convenient. That's what they told themselves at first, anyway.
Their apartment was more of a fortress of solitude than a social hub. The walls were lined with bookshelves groaning under the weight of manuscripts and games, a silent showcase of their respective interests. Joonghyuk was more social of the two, a popular pro gamer and streamer known as The Supreme King. His world bathed in the glow of screens and the clacking of keyboards as he conquered digital realms, while Dokja's quiet days filled with the rhythmic tap of his own keyboard, going through novel scripts and dealing with paperwork.
Life was a comfortable routine of stumbling over Kim Dokja's forgotten books for Joonghyuk and dodging Joonghyuk's meticulously organized gaming setups for Dokja. He'd often tease Joonghyuk about his OCD tendencies, while actually admiring the way he kept their kitchen gleaming and their rooms clutter-free. Yoo Joonghyuk, in turn, would roll his eyes and pretend not to care when he found a rogue paperclip out of place or a dirty coffee cup abandoned somewhere it wasn't supposed to be at all.
"Kim Dokja, I swear to God. If you don't hurry up, I'm not feeding you," Joonghyuk called out, his impatience echoing through the apartment.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Kim Dokja replied, his voice muffled by the mountain of clothes he was trying to navigate through. He finally emerged from their bedroom, slightly out of breath, with a wrinkled shirt in hand.
"Again?" Joonghyuk sighed, shaking his head. "You know, for someone who runs a publishing house, you really need to work on your organizational skills."
Dokja shot him a glare, his glasses slipping down his nose. "Easy for you to say, Mr. Pro Gamer with all the time in the world."
Over the years they had their relationship figured out, a silent, familiar dance of coexistence that somehow worked for them.
Until, one night, that routine was disrupted by a faint knock on the door. Yoo Joonghyuk paused his game on the TV, looking over at Dokja who was lost in the world of manuscripts. "You expecting anyone?" he asked, his voice deep from the lack of talking for the past two hours.
Kim Dokja looked up, blinking blearily. "No, it's probably just the neighbor asking for sugar again." He sighed, setting aside his work, and walked over to the door. Opening it, he found not a neighbor but a baby carrier with a tiny, wide-eyed toddler inside, clutching a round, fluffy plush. The child looked up at him, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She was so quiet, it was eerie. The cold air whispered around her, hinting at the late hour.
Dokja's heart skipped a beat. "Joonghyuk-ah," he called out, his voice shaking slightly. "There's a...a child on the doorstep."
Yoo Joonghyuk's footsteps thudded as he rushed to the door. He looked down at the tiny figure in the carrier, his expression a mix of shock and concern. "What the...?" He knelt down, reaching a tentative hand to touch the little girl's forehead, checking for fever. She didn't react, just stared up at him with those big, round eyes.
The night was cold and the quiet was only broken by the distant hum of a city that never truly sleeps. The toddler, whom they would later name Biyoo, was dressed in a thin, faded pink onesie, her tiny feet were tucked into worn-out socks, and her hair was a mess of unruly curls.
Kim Dokja reached into the carrier, his hand hovering over her for a moment as if expecting her to vanish like a figment of his imagination. He gently picked her up, feeling the weight of her in his arms, which confirmed she was indeed real. She was so warm, contrasting the chilly air outside. Her eyes searched his face and he found himself whispering soothing words without even realizing it. Joonghyuk hovered beside him, a torn expression on his face, something between his protective instincts and the fear of the unknown.
They exchanged a look, one that was filled with questions and a hint of panic. What were they supposed to do with a child? But as they watched her take her first sips of the milk that Joonghyuk quickly whipped up, the decision was made without words. They would keep her safe, at least for tonight.
The police station was a blur of lights and stern faces the next morning. They had barely slept, with Biyoo curled up between them in bed, her little snores punctuating the silence. The officers took their information and promised to look into it, but there was a sadness in their eyes that spoke of a system overburdened with lost children. They left feeling heavier than when they arrived.
Days turned into weeks, and the calls from the authorities grew less frequent. The quiet knocks of hope turned into the thud of reality—Biyoo's family remained unfound. The paperwork was endless—adoption forms, background checks, medical clearances, home studies. Dokja filled out more forms than he had ever seen in his life, hands cramping from the constant writing. Yet, every document he completed brought them one step closer to making Biyoo's stay with them permanent. The process was a blend of excitement and fear, the fear of the unknown tugging at their hearts each time they handed over another page.
The social worker was a kind-faced woman with a no-nonsense attitude. She assessed their living situation, nodded approvingly at the safety locks and child-proof cabinets, and listened to their nervous banter with a knowing smile. "You two seem quite attached already," she said, glancing at Biyoo playing with a pile of plushies.
Kim Dokja couldn't argue with that. He had stumbled into fatherhood with the grace of a newborn deer, but Joonghyuk had been a natural from the start. The way he cooed and talked to her, the way he had transformed their living room into a miniature playground—it was as if he had been waiting for this moment his entire life. And Biyoo, she had wormed her way into their hearts so seamlessly, it was as if she had always been there.
Their life begin to grew into a new rhythm. Joonghyuk's streaming schedule shifted to accommodate Biyoo's needs, and Dokja found himself taking more breaks from his work. Joonghyuk was very adept at handling a toddler, which wasn't surprising at all. He'd spent a decent part of his life taking care of his younger sister, Yoo Mia, so the role of a caretaker came naturally. The clean freak in him had met his match in the sticky, unpredictable world of toddlerhood, but Joonghyuk took it all in stride. Meanwhile, Kim Dokja learned the art of calming a crying baby and the endless cycle of feeding, changing, and soothing.
Such things happened extremely rarely for Yoo Joonghyuk, but one weekend he had a nasty head cold, and Dokja took over the childcare duties with a mix of determination and trepidation. He stumbled through the day, his eyes red from exhaustion, as he tried to juggle work and a fussy Biyoo who was teething. Joonghyuk's coughs echoed from his room, punctuating the silence of the apartment.
As the sun set, Biyoo grew fussier, and Dokja's patience thinned like the big stack of the documents he was trying to finish. In a moment of desperation, he picked her up and bounced her gently, trying to soothe her. "Baaat?" she whined, her eyes watery with pain.
Kim Dokja sighed, setting her down in the playpen with a fresh teether. "Just a little while longer, sweetheart," he murmured, hoping she'd be distracted enough for him to sneak in some work. But Biyoo didn't agree. She threw the teether across the room, and it landed with a clatter against the bookshelf.
The office door creaked open, and Joonghyuk shuffled in, looking like he'd been hit by a truck, but as pretty as ever. "What's wrong?" he croaked, his voice thick with sleep and congestion.
Dokja gave him a tired smile. "Teething troubles," he said, jerking his thumb towards the playpen. "Thought I had it under control, but she's not having it."
Joonghyuk's eyes lit up with understanding. He stumbled over, his nose red and his breathing labored as he tugged his mask up. He picked Biyoo up, holding her close as she snuggled into his chest. "It's okay, Biyoo," he murmured, his voice still rough from sleep.
Kim Dokja watched, feeling a warmth of affection spreading through his chest. Joonghyuk had always been the tough guy, the one who faced the world with a snarl and a ready fist. But here he was, cradling a toddler with the gentleness of a saint. It was a side of him that no one on the internet knew, and Kim Dokja felt a fierce protectiveness surge through him.
The next day, Joonghyuk was feeling better, and Biyoo had finally settled into a peaceful nap. He found Dokja in his office, surrounded by half-read scripts and scattered documents. "You know," he began, his voice low so as not to wake the sleeping child, "I think you're getting pretty good at this whole parenting thing."
Kim Dokja looked up from his work, his eyes bloodshot and his hair sticking up in every direction. "You call this good?" he deadpanned, gesturing to the chaos around them.
Yoo Joonghyuk sighed, stepping into the room and shutting the door quietly. "Well, considering you had no practice, I'd say you're doing pretty well." He leaned against the desk, his gaze softening as it fell on the sleeping Biyoo's photo on Dokja's lock screen.
Dokja couldn't argue with that. They had stumbled into parenthood without a map, but somehow, they had found their way. "Yeah," he murmured, "I guess we are."
As weeks turned into months, the apartment grew more cluttered with toys and baby supplies. Joonghyuk's streaming room remained more or less clean, but it was now flanked by Biyoo's makeshift nest and pillows on the floor. Dokja's publishing house grew more and more virtual, his office now a cozy corner filled with toys and unfinished crackers, where he could keep an eye on Biyoo while he worked.
Kim Dokja found himself enjoying the quiet moments, like reading to Biyoo before bed, her eyes growing heavy with sleep as she leaned against his shoulder. Joonghyuk would peek in, a soft smile playing on his lips, before retreating to prepare dinner. It was in these moments that Dokja realized how much he had grown to love this little girl who had entered their lives so unannounced.
Biyoo also grew attached to them quickly, two new words have been added to her vocabulary. "Papa," she'd say to Dokja, her tiny hand reaching out to him. And to Yoo Joonghyuk, she'd call, "Mama!" as he fed her breakfast or tackled her to sleep. She probably learned it from the TV and It was adorable, the two men couldn't help but exchange slightly awkward, shy glances every time she said it. The taller was especially flustered. Yoo Joonghyuk, the pro gamer, had become the "mother" of the house, and Biyoo had claimed him as such without any hesitation.
One particularly hectic day, after a failed attempt at a nap, Biyoo had managed to smear banana into every corner of the living room. Joonghyuk was on his hands and knees, scrubbing at the floor, while Dokja watched in quiet amusement. The sight of Joonghyuk, so focused and serious about cleaning, was always too much for him. "Biyoo is right, you know. You're really like a mother hen with her chicks," he quipped. Yoo Joonghyuk shot him a glare over his shoulder, but the corners of his mouth twitched upwards. "You're just jealous because you don't have her fooled into thinking you're useful," he retorted, earning a laugh from the other man.
Their banter was interrupted by the sudden sound of their doorbell. Joonghyuk froze mid-wip, his heart jumping. "I'll get it," Dokja said, already crossing the room. He pulled open the door to reveal a delivery man with a package. "Oh, that's for me," he said, taking the parcel and signing for it. "But I think we need to invest in a security camera," he added with a smirk as he shut the door. Joonghyuk couldn't help but feel a twinge of embarrassment at being caught in such a domestic scene.
Some day, the trio decided to venture out of their apartment to go grocery shopping together. Yoo Joonghyuk pushed the cart while Kim Dokja held Biyoo's hand, her tiny fingers clutching his with surprising strength. The supermarket was a cacophony of sounds and colors that made Biyoo's eyes widen in wonder. She pointed at everything, her mouth forming silent 'baaats' as she took in the new sights.
As they meandered through the aisles, Joonghyuk was meticulously checking off items on their list. "Potatoes, check. Diapers, check," he murmured to himself. Meanwhile, Dokja was busy trying to keep Biyoo from grabbing everything within her reach. Her curiosity was boundless, and she had already managed to drop a can of beans and knock over a pyramid of fruit cups.
"Kim Dokja, can you grab me the organic milk?" Joonghyuk called out, his eyes still on the items in front of him.
Dokja nodded, letting go of Biyoo's hand for a second. "Got it."
He turned away to grab the milk, and in that split second, Biyoo's curiosity got the better of her. She saw a row of colorful cereal boxes and toddled over, her little legs moving as fast as they could.
When Dokja looked back, the space where Biyoo had been was empty. His heart skipped a beat. "Biyoo?" he called out, his voice echoing through the aisles. The only response was the distant chime of a shopping cart. Panic set in, and he began to frantically search the area, his eyes darting from shelf to shelf.
"Kim Dokja, where's Biyoo?" Joonghyuk's voice was tight with concern as he turned to face him.
Dokja's eyes widened in horror as he realized she was gone. "I-I don't know," he stuttered, his voice shaking. "I just turned around for a second to grab the milk..."
Joonghyuk set the cart aside, his heart racing. "We need to find her," he said, his voice low and urgent. They split up, calling her name, their voices bouncing off the cold, sterile walls of the supermarket. The aisles looked eerily similar, and each time they thought they heard her giggle, it turned out to be someone else's child.
As the minutes ticked by, the panic grew. Yoo Joonghyuk's mind was racing with the worst-case scenarios, his eyes scanning every face in the crowd. "Biyoo!" he called out, his voice strained.
And then, like a beacon in the chaos, he heard her voice. "Baaat?" It was faint, but unmistakable. He followed the sound, his heart pounding in his chest, until he spotted her. She was holding the hand of an elderly woman, looking up at her with those big, confused eyes. Joonghyuk's legs turned to jelly with relief and he rushed over, his eyes never leaving Biyoo's little figure.
"Thank you so much," he said to the woman, his voice hoarse.
The woman nodded, her expression kind. "She wandered over to me when she got lost. Such a sweet child. Is she yours?"
Joonghyuk paused. "Yes," he managed out, his voice a little too loud. "Thank you for looking after her."
The woman nodded, her gaze shifting to suddenly appearing Kim Dokja as he dashed over, pushing their almost forgotten grocery cart. "Biyoo! You scared me so much!" he shouted, finally feeling at ease.
Biyoo's eyes lit up at the sound of her adoptive father's voice, and she wrenched her hand free from the lady's grip, stumbling towards him with a cry of "Papa!" The old lady's eyes widened, and she took a step back, clearly alarmed.
Dokja finally reached them, out of breath from his frantic search. "I'm so sorry," he panted, his eyes flickering from Biyoo to the old woman. "I turned away for a second..."
The woman looked from Joonghyuk to Dokja, confusion etched into her wrinkles. "You're her father?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Dokja looked flustered, his eyes darting between Joonghyuk and Biyoo. "Well,— I mean, yes?" he stuttered, trying to explain without complicating it too much.
But before he could say another word, Biyoo tugged on Joonghyuk's sleeve, giggling "Baaat! Mama!" The old lady's expression shifted from confusion to astonishment, and the gears in her brain visibly began to turn as she tried to process the situation. Yoo Joonghyuk felt his cheeks heat up, and he quickly scooped Biyoo into his arms. "Thank you," he murmured, bowing politely, his voice tight, "we'll be going now."
The woman nodded, her eyes still wide, and watched as they hurried away. Joonghyuk and Dokja exchanged a look that spoke volumes about their shared embarrassment. They didn't dare to laugh until they were safely back in the aisle, where the sound of their laughter blended with the distant voices of other children and the hum of shopping carts.
"Mama, baaat?" Biyoo asked, her eyes searching for something on the floor.
Yoo Joonghyuk coughed awkwardly. "Yeah, let's go home," he said, avoiding eye contact with grinning Dokja.
As they left the supermarket, Biyoo waving goodbye to the old lady, the shorter broke into giggling. "How do we feel about our new statuses being revealed to the public for the first time, mama?" Kim Dokja teased.
Joonghyuk rolled his eyes. "Shut up," he said, his ears still flushed. "It's just easier for her to call me that, okay?"
Dokja couldn't help but laugh again. "It's just so cute," he said, still chuckling. "Our little Biyoo, thinking you're her mama. I think she's onto something."
Joonghyuk huffed, his eyes sparkling with contentment despite his blush. "It's not funny. I'm not a mother." he protested, but his voice lacked conviction.
Kim Dokja couldn't resist poking fun at him. "Well, you do cook and clean like one," he said, earning a light smack on the arm.
Joonghyuk pretended to be offended, but the truth was, he didn't mind the title. He had grown into it, just as naturally as Biyoo had slipped into calling him "mama."
On a quiet afternoon, Joonghyuk was in the middle of a really intense gaming session in the living room when Biyoo toddled in, her eyes glued to the screen. "Baat," she called out, tugging at his shirt. He looked down at her, his heart swelling with affection. "What is it?"
Her eyes darted to the screen and then back up to him, a question in her gaze. Joonghyuk sighed, pausing the game. "I'm a little busy right now," he said gently. But Biyoo had other ideas. She pointed at the screen and repeated, "Baaat!"
Kim Dokja looked up from his place on the couch, his eyes crinkling in amusement. "Looks like you've got a new fan," he said, watching as Joonghyuk rolled his eyes and tried to distract her with her favorite toys. But Biyoo was insistent, her eyes glued to the colorful characters flashing across the monitor. "Maybe she wants to play?"
Joonghyuk chuckled, setting her down gently. "I don't think she's ready for PvP just yet." He picked her up and swung her into his arms, planting a kiss on her forehead. "But I'll show you how to play something simple, okay?" He booted up a children's game, and Biyoo's eyes lit up as the TV screen filled with cartoon animals and cheerful music.
Yoo Joonghyuk was cooking dinner, the aroma of his signature spaghetti sauce wafted through the apartment. The kitchen was his domain, where he felt most in control, and the familiar motions of chopping and stirring were soothing.
Joonghyuk was focused on the sizzling pan, his back to the door. Before he knew it, he was trapped between the counter and the warm body of his companion, who had wrapped his arms around his waist. Soft kisses rained down the back of his neck, sending delicious shivers down his spine. Joonghyuk stiffened for a moment before his shoulders relaxed, a fake annoyance on his face as he leaned back into the embrace.
Suddenly Biyoo ran in, blissfully unaware of the tension she had just interrupted, her little bare feet slapping against the cold tiles. She looked up at the two men with curiosity, eyes shining with innocence. Joonghyuk felt his cheeks flame red, heart racing as he tried to pull away, but Kim Dokja held him firmly in place, his laughter a silent vibration against his skin.
"H-hey, Biyoo," Joonghyuk managed out, turning slightly look down at her. "What brings you here?"
Biyoo just grinned. "Baaat!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy.
Joonghyuk felt a rush of love for her, but the situation was undeniably awkward. He glanced at Dokja, whose laughter had turned into a full-blown coughing fit as he tried to stifle his mirth. "Kim Dokja, she's right here," he hissed, his cheeks flushing.
Dokja took advantage of his bewilderment to lick a slow, tantalizing path up his neck. Joonghyuk jolted and let out a soft moan, back arching slightly in response. The little girl let out a giggle. "Mama, baaat?" she asked, holding up a half-eaten apple.
Yoo Joonghyuk shifted his attention to her, the tension going down. "Here you go," he said, taking the apple and slicing it into bite-sized pieces. He handed it back to her with a flourish, and she ran away giggling.
When her little figure disappeared into the living room, Joonghyuk turned to his insufferable boyfriend and hit him on the forehead with a spoon, after which he returned to cooking, ignoring the whining about domestic abuse.
As Joonghyuk was playing with Biyoo in the living room, he heard the door open and close. He looked up to see Dokja, looking frazzled and holding a stack of books that threatened to topple over at any moment. "What's got you so worked up?" he asked, giving the other a little smile despite his own exhaustion.
Dokja sighed, setting the books down with a thud. "Take a wild guess," he replied, rubbing his eyes. "Han Sooyoung is being annoying again."
Yoo Joonghyuk snorted, recognizing the tone. "Need me to take over?"
Dokja nodded gratefully. "If you don't mind. I'll just...take a breather."
Joonghyuk nodded, retreating to Dokja's office. "Go ahead. I've got this."
When Joonghyuk returned into the living room after a while, the scene was comical. Dokja was sprawled out on the couch, his mouth slightly open and drooling onto the couch cushion. Biyoo was nestled in the crook of his arm, her tiny body curled into his with her favorite fluffy plush clutched to her chest. Her other hand was open, and a few of the plastic animals she had been playing with had tumbled out, scattered around them.
Joonghyuk looked down at the pair, his heart swelling with affection. He had never imagined that he'd be a part of a moment like this, but here he was- carefully putting away the plastic toys so they would not disturb the sleeping toddler, while his companion snored softly beside her.
"You guys really know how to party," he whispered, placing a gentle kiss on their foreheads. With a quiet chuckle Joonghyuk grabbed a blanket from the armrest and spread it over them. He tucked it around Biyoo and then around Kim Dokja, who stirred slightly before settling back into sleep.
Joonghyuk sat back on his haunches, watching them for a moment. Biyoo's chest rose and fell with each tiny breath, and Dokja's face was relaxed in a way that Joonghyuk hadn't seen in a while.
He felt a strange warmth in his chest, something that had been missing since Mia had moved out to start her own life. He had never felt this kind of belonging, not even when his sister had been living with him.
They woke up a couple of hours later, Biyoo climbing Joonghyuk like a tree immediately. Kim Dokja noticed the tension in Joonghyuk's shoulders and decided that it was his time to rest. "Why don't you take a break?" he suggested, nodding towards the hallway, probably hinting at their bedroom. "I'll keep an eye on Biyoo." Joonghyuk handed over the baby with a sigh of relief, retreating to his streaming room. He'd missed the thrill of the game, the rush of competition, but somehow, it all felt a bit less important now.
Dokja sat down with Biyoo, who immediately grabbed his glasses with a firm "Baat." He chuckled, gently taking them off and placing them on her tiny nose. She looked ridiculous, but also oddly adorable. He took a selfie with her and sent it to Joonghyuk, who responded with a thumbs up emoji. The silence was comfortable, filled with the quiet sounds of the apartment and the occasional giggles and yawns from Biyoo as Dokja sat down for work.
Yoo Joonghyuk decided to stream again after a week-long hiatus. The fans were worried, the rumors were flying, and his inbox was flooded with messages. He figured a quick stream would ease their concerns. It was just going to be a casual, low-key affair. The familiar glow of the screens washed over him, and for a brief moment, he felt like his old self again.
"Hey, everyone," he began, "I know it's been a while. I apologize for worrying you all. Just wanted to let you know that I'm okay, and there's a good reason why I've been MIA." He took a deep breath, as his chat exploded with questions and theories, ranging from a new game announcement to a secret relationship.
"Calm down," Joonghyuk said, his voice steady as he launched into a familiar game. "It's nothing like that. I've just been busy with personal stuff." His hands moved with practiced ease over the keyboard, his eyes focused on the monitor. The chat went wild with speculation, the words flying by too fast for him to read them all.
Three hours into Joonghyuk's stream, Biyoo woke up from her second nap, eyes blinking sleepily in the dim light of the cabinet. Hearing the familiar sounds of Joonghyuk's gaming setup, she toddled out of the room quietly with the grace of a drunken sailor, drawn to the light and the man she considered her 'mama'. She had learned to be quieter when he was streaming, but today she was feeling particularly clingy.
Yoo Joonghyuk's heart skipped a beat as he realized he forgot to lock the door. "Biyoo, no," he whispered, trying to gently pull her away from the camera, but she was insistent. He had never intended for her to be part of his streaming content, but she was here now. He froze, hand hovering over the keyboard, unsure of what to do. The chat had gone from curious to frantic, the words 'child' and 'streamer' popping up like a game of whack-a-mole.
[Is that a baby?!]
[THE SUPREME KING IS A DAD?]
[So adorable]
Biyoo looked up at him with a sleepy smile, her hand reaching for his. "Baat," she murmured, her voice a soft contrast to the cacophony of the game. Joonghyuk's eyes widened, hands sweating nervously. He glanced at the screen, where his character was now awkwardly stuck mid-action, and back at Biyoo.
Joonghyuk's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red as he scooped her up, going through the mental sprint for an explanation. The chat was a blur of excitement and confusion, with fans asking if The Supreme King had a child and others demanding to know more. Yoo Joonghyuk's mind was trying to come up with something as he juggled Biyoo and his gaming setup. "Okay, alright," he said, his voice a little shaky. "This is Biyoo. She's...uh, she's our— She's our."
The word 'our' echoed in the room, and the chat exploded even more. [WHO IS OUR?] someone typed in all caps. [DOES THE SUPREME KING HAVE A WIFE?!] another questioned. The excitement was palpable, with messages flying by in a frenzy of speculation and hopefulness. Yoo Joonghyuk's heart raced as he held Biyoo closer to his chest, her eyes closing as she played with his hair. He had never planned to bring her into the spotlight, but here they were.
"Guys. She's just—" he began, but was cut off by a barrage of more messages.
[Who's 'our'? Does the Supreme King have a family?]
[IS HE MARRIED????]
[Can we see the baby's mama?]
[Wait, WHAT? Did he just say 'OUR']
Meanwhile, Kim Dokja had finally snapped out of his work trance, realizing that Biyoo wasn't in the room. He called out for her, expecting to hear the pitter-patter of her footsteps, but there was no response. He looked around the office, then the living room, his heart rate picking up as the reality set in— she wasn't there. "Biyoo?" he called out, his voice echoing through the apartment. "Joonghyuk-ah?"
Panic bubbled in his chest as he rushed to the hallway, checking each room in a flurry. His eyes widened as he reached the streaming room, not knowing that Joonghyuk wanted to stream tonight. The door was slightly ajar, a rare occurrence, and the muffled sounds of Joonghyuk's voice and the faint clatter of keys told him that he was playing something.
Dokja flung the door open without a second thought. "Hyuk-ah, I can't find Biyoo—" he called out, his eyes searching the room frantically. The sudden intrusion made Joonghyuk jump, and he spun around with Biyoo in his arms, his eyes wide with bewilderment. The webcam's red light glared at them, a silent witness to the chaos. The chat flooded with even more comments, and Joonghyuk's face turned a deeper shade of red.
The words flashed by in a flurry of messages, and Joonghyuk could feel his heart stop. He had never mentioned Dokja on stream, and certainly not their relationship. But here was his tired boyfriend – all rumpled, wearing his favourite shirt covered in coffee stains, looking around confusedly.
"Oh, no." Yoo Joonghyuk murmured under his breath, trying to think of how to explain everything.
But before he could formulate even a sentence, Biyoo looked up and spotted Kim Dokja's slim figure. "Papa!" she exclaimed, her voice clear and loud. Joonghyuk felt his heart plummet into his stomach as the chat erupted into an even greater frenzy.
[PAPA?!] the chat exploded, the caps lock key seemingly stuck on every keyboard. [WAIT, THE SUPREME KING HAS A HUSBAND?!]
"Hyung—," Joonghyuk sputtered, his brain scrambling for a coherent response. "I—uh—" But it was too late. The damage was done. The chat had gone wild with assumptions.
[IS THE SUPREME KING IN A RELATIONSHIP AND WITH A KID???? WHAT THE HELL]
[DO THEY KNOW THEY'RE GOALS]
[WAIT THEY'RE THE CUTEST FAMILY EVER?!!?!!]
Kim Dokja couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up from his chest. He stepped into the room, his eyes shining with mirth. "Sorry. You forgot to tell me you were streaming," he said, his voice a mix of apology and entertainment. Joonghyuk groaned, his face buried in Biyoo's soft hair. "I didn't think she'd come to me." he muttered, his cheeks burning.
Biyoo, seemingly enjoying the fuss, waved at the camera and said "Baaat!" again, causing another round of "awws" and "squees" from the chat. Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes darted to the screen, reading the chaotic comments. "Hey, no. It's not what you think," he tried to clarify, his voice slightly panicked. But the more he talked, the more the chat went wild.
Dokja's laughter grew louder, and he couldn't resist leaning down to kiss Joonghyuk's cheek, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Looks like you've got some explaining to do, The Supreme Mommy," he teased, snatching Biyoo from Joonghyuk's arms and tickling her. She giggled and squirmed, adding to the adorable spectacle that was unfolding live on Joonghyuk's stream.
[HE CALLED HIM WHAT???]
[The Supreme King is a MOM? Best plot twist ever!!]
[THE SUPREME MOMMY???OMG]
[LMFAO HELLLP]
Yoo Joonghyuk grumbled, his face burning hotter than the sun. He could feel the heat of his blush radiating off his skin. "Kim Dokja, I'm going to kill you," he mumbled, but there was a hint of a tiny smile tugging at his lips. The chat was a cacophony of teasing messages and affectionate nicknames, like "The Supreme Daddy" and "Little Mama's Helper." Yoo Joonghyuk couldn't decide whether to be mortified or touched by the outpouring of love from his fans, muting himself for now.
"And what do I tell them now? I can't just finish the stream, they'll come up with something stupid and make it trending, and I don't want to deal with it later." he huffed.
"Why don't you tell them the truth?" Dokja suggested, his eyes dancing with amusement as he held Biyoo, who was now clapping her hands and babbling happily at the running screen. Joonghyuk glared at him, but there was no malice in it. He knew his companion was enjoying this way too much.
"Yeah, okay. 'Oh, by the way, we just found this baby on our porch and decided to keep her?' That'll go over well," Joonghyuk said sarcastically, his ears and neck redder than a ripe tomato. An embarrassed groan escaped his lips once more as he read through the onslaught of messages in the chat. "I'm going to kill you, bastard." he repeated under his breath.
Dokja just chuckled as Biyoo reached for Joonghyuk's face. "It's okay," he said, patting Joonghyuk's shoulder. "We can just tell them she's our little neighbor who wandered in."
Yoo Joonghyuk sighed, knowing he had to say something. He took a deep breath and unmuted his mic. "Guys, she's not—" But before he could even finish his sentence, the donations started rolling in, each one accompanied by a playful message.
[Baaat! Welcome to the family, Biyoo!]
[100 coins for the best parent streamer haha]
[You guys are so cute I love this so much!!]
The chat was a whirlwind of emotions, and Joonghyuk felt a strange sense of warmth amidst the embarrassment. He took another deep breath and cleared his throat. "Okay, okay. Let me explain," he began, trying to compose himself. "This isn't really my child. We found her near our apartment and we're taking care of her now."
The barrage of comments didn't stop, but the tone shifted from shock and teasing to an overwhelming wave of support.
[She's perfect for you!]
[Oh my god, you guys are so wholesome!]
[CAN WE GET MORE BABY STREAMS?]
[Waaa thank you for loving her!!]
Kim Dokja watched the chat scroll by with a smug smile, enjoying the sight of Joonghyuk squirming in his chair. "See?" he said. "They're on board with the 'Supreme Parent' fanfic. Maybe we should start a family channel."
Yoo Joonghyuk rolled his eyes at Dokja, but softness entered his voice as he spoke to Biyoo. "You little troublemaker," he cooed, taking her small hand in his. The toddler giggled, patting his cheek with sticky fingers.
Dokja stood there, watching the scene unfold with a kind of affection for Joonghyuk that was new and unfamiliar. His gruff companion had always been a private person, and the idea of sharing this intimate side of their lives with thousands of strangers was bizarre. Yet, as he watched Yoo Joonghyuk interact with Biyoo, he couldn't deny the picture-perfect image they made together. It was as if Joonghyuk had been born to be a parent, and the thought was both terrifying and comforting.
The chat kept flooding the screen with messages of love and support. Joonghyuk was overwhelmed, feeling a little shy as he read through the comments.
[The Supreme King has a daughter this is so amazing!!!]
[THIS IS THE CUTEST THING I'VE EVER SEEN]
[I want to squish her cheeks so badly, gosh!]
"Well, it seems like we have the internet's blessing," Kim Dokja said, his eyes running through the messages on the screen. Joonghyuk glared at him, but the affection was clear in his voice. "Very funny, Kim Dokja."
"What?" Dokja feigned innocence, holding Biyoo up to blow a raspberry on her chubby cheek. She giggled, and Joonghyuk's expression softened. "You know you love me for how funny I am."
Yoo Joonghyuk sighed, his eyes back to the screen. "I swear, if she starts a meme because of this..." He trailed off, his mind racing with the potential consequences of this unexpected turn of events. But as he watched Biyoo, her eyes bright with excitement as she babbled at the donations sounds, he couldn't help but feel a sense of fondness. He had enjoyed the solitary life, but there was something about this little girl that filled the empty spaces in his heart he never knew he had.
Dokja snickered, setting Biyoo down as she started to squirm in his arms. She toddled over to Joonghyuk, her eyes glued to the bright lights of the webcam. "Looks like she's a natural," he said, watching as she waved at the invisible audience. "Maybe she's got a future in showbiz."
Joonghyuk scoffed, his distress easing slightly. "Yeah, maybe she'll be The Supreme Baby," he quipped, earning a gleeful giggle from Biyoo. He reached out and scooped her up, planting a kiss on her forehead. "But for now, she's just our little Biyoo."
Kim Dokja nodded, his smile gentle. "Let's finish up the stream," he suggested, "before she starts demanding her own gaming chair." Joonghyuk rolled his eyes, but the affection in his gaze was clear. He turned back to the camera and addressed his audience. "Alright, that's all for tonight. We've got someone to put to bed."
The chat exploded with more comments, begging for a family stream, but Joonghyuk simply waved it off. "We'll see," he said, voice small. "Not now for sure. We've got things to do." He leaned in to kiss Biyoo's forehead once more, and she mimicked the action, smacking a wet kiss onto the camera lens. The chat erupted in "awws" as Kim Dokja pretended to wipe it off with a dramatic flourish.
They ended the stream, and the silence in the room was almost deafening after the cacophony of the chat. Joonghyuk set Biyoo down, and she immediately toddled out of the streaming room back to her crib, drawn by the promise of a bedtime story. When she fell asleep Dokja began cleaning up the living room, and Joonghyuk felt the warm, sticky like honey feeling for this man spreading in his chest. "Thanks for helping with the mess," he said, his voice low.
Dokja looked up, a tired smile on his face. "It's the least I could do," he said, rubbing at his eyes. "But seriously, Hyuk-ah, you're so good for her."
Yoo Joonghyuk's neck flushed again, but this time it was with something other than embarrassment. He watched Biyoo's slumber in her little bed. "Well, I had to learn the hard way with Mia," he said, his voice soft. The mention of his sister brought a brief shadow to his eyes, but it was quickly replaced with a little smile as he tucked the blanket around Biyoo.
They finished up the cleaning in comfortable silence. Joonghyuk couldn't help but feel the sense of belonging that was both strange and relaxing. He sat on the floor, leaning against the crib, watching their little angel sleep. "What do you think we should do now?" he asked, his voice low so as not to disturb her.
Kim Dokja sat down beside him, a contemplative look on his face. "Well, we can just keep doing what we're doing," he went quiet for a moment, recalling all the documents he had to arrange to adopt her. "I don't think she's going anywhere soon."
Yoo Joonghyuk nodded, his eyes still on Biyoo. "Yeah," he leaned his head back against the crib, feeling the exhaustion of the day catch up to him. "For now, let's just...go to sleep."
They both got up, moving on autopilot. Joonghyuk grabbed a blanket from the couch, and they curled up together, the crib now pushed closer to the sofa for ease of monitoring. Biyoo's soft snores filled the quiet room, a soothing lullaby to their weary minds. The warmth of their bodies and the gentle rhythm of her breathing created a cocoon of comfort that neither of them wanted to leave.
As they lay there, Joonghyuk couldn't shake off the thought of the impending online storm. "Can you imagine the headlines tomorrow?" he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. "The Supreme King: From Gaming Legend to House Wife in One Night."
Kim Dokja snorted, his arm slung over Joonghyuk's waist. "It's not that bad, Joonghyuk-ah" he said, his voice lazy and soft. "They'll forget about it by next week."
But Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't so sure. He knew the internet had a way of clinging to the most unexpected things, turning them into viral sensations. "I hope so," he murmured, eyes slipping shut. The comfort of Dokja beside him and Biyoo's steady breathing soothed his troubled mind. He could feel the exhaustion of the day catching up, pulling him under.
In the quiet of the night, with the glow of the streetlights filtering through the curtains, Yoo Joonghyuk felt something he hadn't in a long time—peace. The chaos of the day had somehow morphed into something warm and cozy, like a blanket that had been tucked around their little makeshift family. He took a deep breath, letting the scent of baby powder and the faint aroma of dinner fill his lungs, lulling him to sleep.