Work Text:
"Take care of this world, Protagonist!" Called lloyd
Javier screamed as he dragged the King of Hell into the massive portal in the sky — the same portal the former Young Master had once traveled through.
The sky cleared.
The portal, the clouds, the monstrous beings flooding the Frontera estate — all gone.
The sun shone down as though celebrating victory, but every last person stood in shock. The only sound was Sir Asrahan falling to his knees, his sobs filling the air.
---
"Darling! He opened his eyes!"
"Such round eyes, he looks just like me."
"He's such a handsome boy. He must have gotten it from me!"
"Our baby! Is the world too unfamiliar for you?"
"Come here, come here. This old guy here is your dad. And I'm your mom."
"He'll become someone strong...
Someone strong, smart, and who protects many people..."
"Welcome to the world, Kim Suho."
---
Suho had a vague notion that this was his second time with the Kims as his parents. He felt an inextricable sense of loss when he pictured his other family — but he believed they were safe. Little Suho looked up from his breakfast and watched as his parents bustled through their morning routine.
“… Papa?”
“Bud?”
“‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,’” he quoted.
The Kims blinked, then burst out laughing.
“That’s very good advice. My son is wise beyond his years!” Mr. Kim said boisterously, patting Suho’s head and nodding solemnly.
Suho decided he could push a little further. Mustering the flourish of a five-year-old parroting adult wisdom, he added:
“ 'Make to do a background check on anyone who asks for your money. Even if you trust them. It turns out that ... '" he made a show of trying to remember "' ALOT of scammers are people you know well or even family members!'"
“Is that true?”
Suho nodded seriously. “Yup.”
“Hmmm.” Mr. Kim rubbed his chin, squinting at Suho. “Young man. How do I know you aren’t a scammer?”
“Not today, kind sir! It’s your lucky day. Today you can make lots and lots of monies if you invest five baggilion monies into the Suho-goes-to-the-arcade fund!”
“Aha! And what will I get if I invest five baggilion monies into your fund, sir?” Mr. Kim asked, lifting his utensils like a microphone.
Suho leaned in. “Um, um, um… scammed!” He grabbed his dad’s bowl and bolted.
“Hey!”
Both his parents roard into laughter.
---
It had been a long time since Suho felt the dread that haunted his early years. Today somehow it all came rushing back — only to be washed away in the same instant.
Why?
Because today was a moment he had never shared with his parents in his first life: his college graduation.
As his parents handed him a bouquet and pulled him into a tight embrace, Suho felt so relieved he was dizzy. He had made it through high school without incident. He had made it through military service with a good rank. And now, he was graduating. All the horrors from before, all the fears — no longer a threat.
But as Suho stepped out of his parents’ embrace, he noticed a shimmer. He looked down at his hand on his mother’s shoulder as a light spread from his fingers, to his wrist, to his whole arm.
The entire family froze, wide-eyed, as Suho was consumed by the light. They locked eyes in silent recognition — they all sensed what was happening.
The whole family froze and stared wide-eyed as suho was consumed with light. They made locked eyes an all seemed to sence that-
---
“Master Ll—… Kim Suho?”
Suho blinked as the light faded. In front of him stood a man, a few centimeters taller, hair ragged, clothes worn from travel. Despite his shabby appearance, he was surrounded by mountains of gold.
“… Javier?”
Before he knew it, Javier had seized him, holding him even tighter than Suho’s parents had moments ago. His sobs echoed off the piles of treasure.
“You’re alive,” Javier croaked. “I found you!”
Suho gently pushed him back.
“Javier… I need to know something. Be honest with me. Did you summon me?”
“Yes! Verkis was able to adjust his—”
“Javier.” Suho cut him off, eyes sharp with anger… and conflict.
Why? Why was he angry?
Suho steadied himself before asking again, voice firm: “Is everyone safe?”
“Yes—”
“No one died or got hurt in the battle?”
“No one was hurt.”
“How is recovery?”
“… It was completed about a year ago.”
For some reason, this made Suho’s face crumple. Tears spilled down his cheeks — but not from relief.
“I’m glad everyone is safe. I’m glad.” He reassured.
“Master—?”
“I—” Suho tried, before a sob tore its way out of him.
Javier reached for him, but Suho flinched back, then held up a guilty hand.
“I… I met my parents. My birth parents. The ones who raised me.”
A moment passed — shock flickering across Javier’s face, then excitement mixed with confusion.
“… Were they alright? I thought they were—”
Suho clenched his fists.
“I started over from the beginning. I was reborn as Suho. As a baby. They raised me again. And this time… they survived.”
Javier’s eyes went wide.
Suho locked eyes with him, voice breaking. “Will I be able to go back?”
Javier’s face went pale as his head dropped and his own tears began to fall.
Suho crumpled to his knees.
Javier stumbled down to his own knees, hands hovering before finally cradling Suho’s head against his chest.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” His voice cracked
“I have done something unforgivable.”