Chapter Text
Donghyuck rarely went to the club.
Not because he hated it or thought himself as not that type of guy. He just didn't.
Working as a makeup artist for various types of celebrities - singers, boy- and girlgroups, models and actors, made him not feel that left out of the social-part of what a 'regular' twenty-three year old's life looked like. He didn't feel like he was missing out on his youth, especially when his most of his friends didn't go clubbing either. And those who did always ended up with the usual Saturday/Sunday-hangover, and that definitely didn't make Donghyuck any more enthralled by the said 'culture'.
The loud music, heavy drinking, flickering lights in various colours, bodies pressed together and the mixed smells of different perfumes, sweat and liquor was nothing Donghyuck was used to. He wasn't interested in the hookup or one-night stand part of the usual club-life either, the walk of shame the next morning or the concern for STDs wasn't really something that excited the redhead - and therefor he avoided that as well.
So, with that in mind - he didn't quite understand how he now found himself hoisted up on a sink in a kind of clean bathroom in an otherwise rowdy nightclub, arms wrapped around a hopefully single male's neck and lips locked into a messy yet deep kiss. He had an arm wrapped around his waist, the other one holding his knee and he tried his hardest to not wrap his legs around the other male's hips - knowing that he couldn't let this go any further.
Donghyuck did, however, let the male's tongue slip into his mouth without putting up a fight or even trying to seem disinterested in going any further than a lingering kiss. He did, once again however, roll his eyes as he felt the well-dressed male grin into the kiss, making the makeup artist run fingers into the soft hair and tug on it bristly, just the slightest of course. But it had the reverse effect of the grinning male, as Donghyuck was only pulled closer against the man and deeper into the kiss.
Okay, maybe the redhead did understand a tiny bit how he had gotten himself in this position. He had, to almost all of his friends' surprise, said yes when his best friend Yangyang had asked him if he wanted to join them to celebrate at a nightclub. They had pre-drank in Yangyang's studio apartment, and as midnight rolled around and it officially became the 10th of October and Yangyang's twenty-third birthday - they made their way to the closest nightclub to continue the festivities. Their group - which consisted of Donghyuck, the birthday-boy, Donghyuck's cousin Jeno and his boyfriend Chenle, and Renjun (Yangyang's former roommate and Donghyuck's former college mate) - had been dancing and drinking for a while, and about two hours in had Donghyuck noticed a guy sitting by the bar along with what seemed as his own group of friends. They had locked eyes a few times, and even though Donghyuck was only just slightly tipsy - he couldn't help the sudden and quite juvenile urge to at least get a kiss from the good-looking guy. And after a few small interactions, the redhead had fled to the bathroom to wash his hands after Yangyang had spilled his Piña Colada on their table - the light haired male had walked in about a minute later. After a few small exchanges (them locking eyes in the mirrors reflection) the attractive male had simply said 'You're hot and smell like tuberose, and I promised my friend to stop acting like a loser and ask for a kiss.. so?', and Donghyuck unfortunately had a thing for hot losers, simply answering with 'Promises are meant to be kept', which he knew he would gag at tomorrow morning when he inevitably remembered the conversation.
Well, the kiss wouldn't be something he'd gag about - it was good, not the best, but that was partly because of the taste of something sour on the other's tongue and the fact that it was in a bathroom in a random nightclub, and partly because he knew that he'd have to break it off at any moment.
"What time is it?" he questioned as they parted for a second, the other panted lightly against his lips.
A small chuckle filled the air between them, "Does it matter? Are you the Swan Princess who needs to be home before sunrise, or you turn into a bird?" the other asked, tilting his head to place butterfly kisses on the tan neck.
"In fact, I am," Donghyuck rolled his eyes, fingers combing through the mid-length hair, eyes closing subconsciously as the kisses trailed towards his throat. He could feel the same grin against his skin, before the male mumbled "My wristwatch shows two-thirty, in the morning."
"No shit it's in the morning," Donghyuck hummed, fingers running out of the hair to cup the pale cheeks - pulling the head back up to face him. "I have to leave," he continued, pecking the faintly bruised lips, before pushing the other back and sliding down from the sink - just in time for another man to walk in and eyeing them suspiciously before walking into a booth.
"Oh, did I do something wrong?" the light-haired male asked, an unsure expression on his face. Donghyuck shook his head with a chuckle, turning to fix his red hair in the mirror, "No, I just have make sure my friend isn't crowd surfing or arguing with the bouncer."
"That brunette with the birthday-hairband?" the male asked, expression now relaxed.
"Exactly," the redhead chuckled again, fixing his shirt before throwing a glance at the light-haired, "You're welcome, by the way."
The man, who had been fixing his hair as well, raised an eyebrow as he looked back at Donghyuck. "What do you mean?" he asked, eyeing him up and down. Donghyuck placed a hand on the doorhandle of the bathroom, "You're welcome, I helped you keep your promise," he explained, a small teasing grin on his lips - turning around and walking out of the bathroom, not missing the laugh that slipped out of the other.
"Yangyang, get off me or I'll kill you with a butterknife!"
Donghyuck chuckled as he pressed out of the message-conversation with his maid Miss Amber, watching Yangyang let go off Renjun with a pout on the birthday-boy's lips, as he fell down on the bed, body limp of the birthday-drinks multiple people had bought him. The five friends had now become a trio, as Jeno and Chenle had went back home to their apartment the moment Donghyuck had come out of the bathroom - saying that they should all get going since Yangyang was severely drunk and started calling his ex girlfriend from high school. After a little bit of arguing about which two friends had to get the drunk home, they flipped a coin which resulted with the couple cheering in happiness and the other two groaning in annoyance.
"You should get back," Renjun said, a sincere smile on his lips as Yangyang started dozing off, "I'll just put a bucket on the floor and prep his hangover-cure, then I'll get going as well - I have to fix the Halloween-makeup for like three shows' Halloween-episodes tomorrow and on Sunday."
The redhead nodded, a grateful smile on his lips, before reaching down to gently ruffle the mop of brown hair over his friends face. "Sleep tight, Yangie," he mumbled, earning a snore in response, before turning back to Renjun.
"Goodnight, I'll see you on Wednesday at the company," he whispered, hugging his black-haired friend goodbye - before making his way out of the party-decorated apartment.
The mid-October air was chilly, the tipsiness that had kept Donghyuck warm had been used up and he was now left colder and sober, but was at least dressed somewhat properly. After walking through the busy city streets, he finally made his way to the peaceful neighbourhood he had lived on for the last two years - thankful that it was only about a twenty minute walk from Yangyang's apartment complex.
As he pressed in the code, a smile formed on his lips as the older woman he had known for the last four years skipped down the stairs.
"Miss Amber!" Donghyuck smiled, "Thank you for being able to change your shift tonight!"
The fifty-something woman smiled brightly as she registered that it was Donghyuck, "Donghyuck, there is no need to thank me - it is my job and you pay me enough that I'd probably even eat Avocados if you told me I had to," she chuckled, wrapping the scarf around her neck more properly, "Tonight went well, but I think you need to have a talk tomorrow - something happened during the afternoon."
Donghyuck's smile turned into a small frown, "Oh? Yes, of course - thank you, and please have a great rest, I'll see you on Wednesday!"
Miss Amber nodded, "Of course, have a great rest you too - eat properly!" she said, gently squeezing the redhead's shoulder, before heading towards the street-door, waving once again before heading towards the parking lot. The male skipped up the stairs hastily, before digging up his keys and unlocking the door. He smiled at the lingering scent of blueberry pie, which was very common during the weekend's at his, and locked the door while simultaneously kicking off his shoes. As he hung up his jacket, he looked down at his phone - groaning at the low battery and the time, now early-morning instead of late-night, but then smiled as he focused on his lockscreen.
Donghyuck sighed, and decided to quickly do his nightly routine (but made sure to wash all the bacteria of the nightclub from his body, along with brushing his teeth thoroughly) before changing into his pyjamas. And as he finally felt clean and smelled nice, he tiptoed across the living room towards the door that was left ajar after Miss Amber had left. He carefully peeked in, biting back a giggle as he watched the small girl lying down as a starfish - one foot hanging off of the bed and the blanket bundled up by the wall.
The girl didn't snore, but she did however from time to time sleep-hymn on non-specific melodies, before rolling around and getting quiet again. "My little baby," Donghyuck cooed quietly to himself, walking into the room to gently tuck her properly into bed, a small chuckle accidentally slipping through his pouting lips as she snuggled into the bed - gripping the teddy bear next to her in a tight hold. The redhead leaned down to press a soft peck on the button-like nose, before pulling back a few strands of the brown hair behind her ear. He then decided to get to bed himself, knowing his daughter would be up bright and early - excited for her favourite season and the promise of her muffin of choice, their tradition every Saturday morning.
"Daddy!"
A shove to his body and the high-pitched voice made Donghyuck snap his eyes open. He sat up, still a little disorientated and confused - rubbing his face and coughing into his elbow, before looking at the girl standing next to his bed.
"Hey, sunny - did you sleep well?" Donghyuck asked, voice hoarse due to his sleep and not enough water last night. He cleared his throat, rubbing his eyes again to see his daughter better.
"Daddy, it's Halloween!" she cheered, not answering the question - but the bright smile and energy answered the question for her. Donghyuck chuckled, drowsiness wearing off as the girl jumped up and down. He wished he had the same energy as the four year old sometimes, even though he wasn't old - he was in no way close when it came to energy with her. But then he widened his eyes, reaching for his phone to see what date it was.
Still October 10th.
"It is still Yangyang's birthday, sunny-"
"Did Yangie get my drawing?" she interrupted, eyes bright and smile even brighter.
Donghyuck chuckled, remembering from last night how Yangyang had smiled aand thanked them all for their gifts - but when Donghyuck had given him the drawing that the small girl had drawn, the brunette had smiled so big and hugged it to his chest (even though it was a drawing of the girl herself holding hands with Yangyang, the male being a head shorter than her and holding a tree). The birthday-boy had hung up the drawing on his fridge, smiling at it proudly.
"Yes, he loved it," Donghyuck smiled.
The girl brightened even more, "Yay! Then it means he can give me extra candy today when it's Halloween!"
Donghyuck playfully rolled his eyes, "Cherrie, it's not Halloween yet," he chuckled, placing his phone back - the girl tilting her head with a confused expression on her face.
"But, daddy- the trees! They are red and orange! You said that I can dress like Belle to kindergarten on Halloween, and when I asked you when Halloween is - you said when the trees are red and orange it is Halloween!" Cherrie retold, an adorable frown on her face and lips puckered together in a pout, crossing her arms over he chest.
Donghyuck couldn't help but to pull the brunette into a warm hug, "It is not Halloween yet, but it is soon - I promise, it is after Miss Amber's birthday," he reassured, pecking his daughter's head before standing up - holding the grumbling girl securely in his arms. "I'm going to be old like you by then," she grumbled, resting her chin on her father's shoulder. "I'm going to be grey and old like uncle Junnie was before!"
The redhead bit back a laugh, "Sunny, that was his choice - a fashion choice, remember?"
Cherrie leaned back to give her father a look, raising an eyebrow. "If he calls that fashion, he should probably buy a word-book."
Donghyuck giggled at this, loving the fact that the girl was almost a copy-paste version of his personality. "Yeah, don't tell him that though - he'll be a little sad if you say that."
The girl giggled, rubbing her face with her teddy-bear pyjama-sleeve. "Not telling, Junnie shouldn't be sad," she hummed, then kicked her feet as they walked into the kitchen. "Look, red and orange!" she exclaimed and pointed out of the window. Donghyuck followed her finger finger, and nodded with a smile - the leafs had in fact change colours, almost as if over night.
"Then, maybe we'll take a walk in the pretty leafs and buy a muffin and hot cocoa?" the father suggested, but then furrowed his eyebrows as he noticed his daughter's sudden dissociated gaze.
He then remembered what Miss Amber had told him right before she had left.
"Hey, sunny, should we maybe have a little talk?" he spoke, voice soft and gentle to make sure that the girl knew she wasn't in trouble. Cherrie snapped out of her gaze, looking at her father with eyes wide, a small nod following after Donghyuck smiled warmly at her.
He carried her into the small livingroom, the two of them taking their usual seats on the couch. Cherrie pouted her lips and crossed her legs, eyes darting over the different pictureframes and paintings on the wall in front of them.
"Cherrie Lee, what happened yesterday? Miss Amber told me that something happened," Donghyuck spoke, gently running his fingers through the soft and warm brown hair.
The girl sighed, leaning into the caress. "Flora invited almost all girls and three boys to her birthday-party.. and I didn't get a card," she whispered, her eyes watering as she looked up at her father.
Donghyuck blinked, trying to hold back a scowl. "She didn't invite you?" Donghyuck asked, trying to wrap his head around why someone would exclude his angel of a daughter. Cherrie nodded, sniffling lightly, "Even Lira got an invite, and she's not even in the same group as us!" she exclaimed, cheeks red in frustration and sudden burst of emotions.
"Hey, hey," Donghyuck soothed, shuffling closer to his daughter and bringing her in for a warm hug, "Don't be sorry, sunny - do you want me to call Flora's parents and ask them why you can't be there?"
Cherrie sniffled, shaking her head - "No, she is just a meanie! I only painted over her flower once!" she pouted and crawled up on her father's lap, hiding her face in his shoulder. "She's going to have a Cinderella-party, and that is the boring princess!"
Donghyuck smiled softly, pressing a kiss on top of the brown bedhead - but still felt aa small sting in his heart over the fact that his daughter was getting treated like this. Who even plans a party and invite almost everyone except just a few in the class.
They stayed like that for a moment, the four year old calmed down - the twenty-three year old pretended to be calm. And after a few more minutes of tickles and giggles - they made their way out in the sunshine and sprinted in the red leafs on the ground.
𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒𓂃 ࣪˖
"Taeyong," Donghyuck whined, watching the rapper/dancer eat an ice cream after he just finished doing his makeup. "I just fixed your lipstick! Couldn't you have eaten before?"
The said male, now lime-green dyed hair, just grinned - the visible chocolate ice cream on his teeth making Donghyuck grimace. "Nasty," he groaned, ruffling his red hair while Taeyong laughed out loud.
"I'm sorry, Haechannie - but I need the energy!" Taeyong argued, blinking his eyes and trying to look cute, making Donghyuck flip him off.
"You sound like my daughter," he mumbled, about to start packing up his makeup - but got distracted as his phone started ringing.
"I'll take that as a compliment, Cherrie is a cutie," the makeup artist could hear Taeyong mumble, before he widened his eyes - the caller ID making him nervous.
He cleared his throat before answering, "This is Donghyuck Lee."
"Donghyuck, this is Jaehyun! There is nothing urgent, but we'd like to have a conversation with you this afternoon - if you are available!"
Donghyuck frowned to himself, making Taeyong tilt his head questioning.
"Uh- yeah, sure? Has anything happened?" he asked, glancing at the clock hanging over the exit of the backstage room.
"Well, yes- but I'd like to talk with you about this in person, will three o'clock this afternoon work?"
Donghyuck felt his heart stutter, concern fuelling his brain - "Y-yeah, sure, of course - I'll see you later Jaehyun."
"Great, thanks!"
Taeyong grinned as Donghyuck hung up. "Is Jaehyun that hot teacher that Cherrie ha-"
"You are not dating my daughter's teacher!" Donghyuck grumbled, a frown on his face as he started packing up the makeup. "If she has started a food-fight I'll be mad, but if she slapped a boy that tugged on her ponytail, I'll buy her ice cream."
"Oh? It's serious?" Taeyong's grin dropped, he himself concerned now.
Donghyuck sighed as he shrugged, "Apparently, well- she is a good kid, so it can't be that bad," he spoke, looking at his phone - hurrying up since it was about an hour before he had to be there.
Taeyong gently pat his makeup artist on the back, "It'll be fine, probably just some evaluation or something!" he tried to reassure, earning a half-smile from the redhead.
"Yeah, thank TY," he hummed, licking his lips and stretching his neck - trying to sooth his nerves.
With a heavy breath, Donghyuck leaned against the closed door of Jaehyun's office - hand on his chest and trying to keep the his pants silent, reminding himself not to run in the cold or before a meeting ever again.
"I swear to God, if Jaehyun's just going to give me papers about something - I'll kill him with a butterknife," he mumbled to himself, trying to fix his hair and take a few more breathes, before gently knocking on the door.
The door opened just a few seconds later, a smiling dark-haired Jaehyun in glasses gesturing for him to come in. "Donghyuck! Great to see you, please have a seat!"
Donghyuck smiled, walking past the teacher, "Yeah, thanks," he spoke, taking a seat in front of the desk, "But what is going o-"
"Jaehyun, hi- sorry, man that I'm late!"
The redhead narrowed his eyes, still facing the desk as another voice entered the room.
"Mark, no worries - Donghyuck just got here as well, take a seat!"
Donghyuck almost flinched as his name was mentioned, turning around in the chair to look at the new addition to the meeting.
Oh, fuck.
He stared at the light-haired, now clearly blonde, male standing next to Jaehyun.
Oh, fuckity fuck.
The male, now known as 'Mark' stared back at him, eyes wide and lips parted in surprise.. or shock.. Donghyuck couldn't really tell.
Jaehyun raised an eyebrow, confusion clear as day on his face.
"Please don't tell me thaat the two of you have the same relationship as your daughters' in my class," he tried to joke, gesturing for Mark to take a seat - walking towards his seat behind the desk.
"Daughter?" both males' uttered simultaneously, eyes locked and cheeks gingerly flushed.
Jaehyun nodded slowly, once again gesturing for Mark to sit - this time with a little less patience.
"Yeah, Donghyuck here is Cherrie's father, and Donghyuck - Mark here is Flora's father," the teacher introduced, and the surprised expressions on their faces turned gall in a span of a few seconds.
Oh, fucking hell, the redhead thought as he turned back in his seat, ignoring the way Mark was looking equally handsome in the casual clothes as he had done the moment he had hoisted Donghyuck up on the bathroom's sink just a few nights ago.