Work Text:
On AUGUST 16, 2026,
Everyone held their breath.
The lights had dimmed as the wide LED screen hanging above their heads began a countdown for a recorded video to be played. It’s the final day of T1 HomeGround as the Summer peaks right before the start of the Worlds series.
Multiple fans clasped their hands in prayer, some already in tears as they awaited for the words to appear on screen. Feeling utterly desperate and hopeful; the fans stared above unblinkingly.
Everyone waited.
Please. Please. Please.
Everyone prayed.
Doran re-sign. Please.
So that DOFPK can continue playing with each other for a few more years. So the fans can feel comforted knowing they can wholeheartedly support the team without fear of them being separated—if only for just a few more years. That’s what everyone thought.
But unlike the day where T1 announced Keria’s re-sign in the arena. The members were still sitting on stage, and not standing off to the side. Also curious about the video about to be played. To be completely honest, no one knew whether Doran had chosen to re-sign or not. It had been kept a secret amongst only very few people that leaves even the other four members out of the circle. But no one was worried. It was obvious Doran would re-sign. T1 was the best organization in the League of Legends Esports, and no other organization has treated Doran better than anyone else. It was the home of the Legend Faker—Doran’s very own idol. So the choice was clear. Doran would definitely re-sign. Without a doubt.
THANK YOU, DORAN.
Silence.
As if a pin drop could break the already-so fragile glass that suddenly encompassed the entire arena and a chill crushing cold smacked the frozen bodies that looked up at the LED screen. A familiar voice suddenly echoed through the large stadium as the video continued to play but everyone’s heart seemed to stop.
“Hello everyone, this is T1’s Top Laner, Doran, Choi Hyeonjoon.
Firstly, I would like to say thank you to everyone who supported me on my journey here in T1. I have met a lot of great teachers and members who have helped me grow into the player I am today. So I would like to thank each and everyone of the coaches, Coach Kkoma, Coach Tom, Coach Mata, and Coach Easyhoon for staying up with me to correct and analyze my plays when I was in a slump. And to the managers and staff behind the scenes, thank you for taking care of me every time I felt drained and tired from the hectic schedules. And to my members, Sanghyeok hyung, Hyeonjunnie, Minseokie and Suhwanie, thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience such an exhilarating team bond and for being my close friends. And of course to all the T1 fans for welcoming me in November 2024 so I could build a space here in your home; for believing in me and for supporting me ‘til the very end, thank you so much for letting me be T1’s Top Laner for 2 grateful years.
But today, I would like to announce my departure from the team and from the org.
I would just like to say that our separation was done in good faith. Me and the org decided this was the best course of action for our growth as both player and org. Please kindly send your regards to the both of us as we part ways. Again, thank you so much for making my dream come true in achieving the Worlds Trophy and to helping me grow as a player and as a person. I will not forget this experience for the rest of my life. Thank you for the happy and unforgettable memories we shared together.
This has been T1 Doran.”
On a random rainy day in Spring, Doran reached an agreement with the T1 organization. He expected both the disappointed and cheerful reactions from the League of Legends community. Those who were sad to see him go, and those who were happy to see him do. He was fully prepared to hear and face any feedback or criticism.
Even after Doran filmed his departure video, he expected the feeling of bitterness as he thanked the staff who worked hard to film the video with him on a Tuesday evening. He expected the sight of their mixed emotions. Those who patted him on the back for working so hard in T1 for 2 consecutive years and those who didn’t even look him in the eye as they packed their camera and bags, eager to go home from a normal day at work. He understood because he’s been in this situation before; transferring from team to team.
Finally, when Doran was informed that this exact recorded video would be played in August of T1’s HomeGround, he too expected the loud reactions from the audience who had just seen the announcement. Some who would beg and cry for him not to leave, while others silently cheered inside their heads that he would go so another player could take his spot. He had braced himself for everything that could possibly happen.
So Doran sat tall and confidently as the video ended and clutched onto the microphone he had been gripping since the start of it all. And when the MC signaled for him to say a few words, he braved himself to speak the words he’d been rehearsing all day, all week, all month.
“I know many of you are shocked,” Doran spoke into the mic, pausing just slightly to give everyone time to process what had just been announced. “But this was something me and the org discussed for a very long time.” He licked his lips before continuing, “It took us 3 days to come to this agreement.” He paused again as he felt an unexpected lump get stuck in his throat. “And we decided to part ways amicably.”
The cries around the stadium grew loud. Many fans were heartbroken at the news they prayed so hard for not to come true. The sleepless nights of hoping for their top laner to re-sign, the countless insults they had to endure from the eccentric bandwagon haters, and the constant journaling of expressing their wish for DOFPK to be together for a longer period of time on social media—suddenly—all crumbled.
Because Choi Doran chose not to re-sign with T1. And it was agreed on mutually.
“As mentioned in the video,” Doran willed himself to say the speech he had prepared beforehand, “I am very grateful for these 2 wonderful years I had with T1 and will never forget the memories we made together. Thank you for—”
“N-noo! *hiccup* Waahh!”
Doran jolted in alarm at the sudden cries that erupted in the stadium. It echoed so loudly that he felt his earpiece about to break. Wait. Earpiece?
He instantly turned to his right to see not one but four people crying on stage. His eyes enlarged in shock at the sight of Oner burying his face into his right sleeve with muffled sobs, at the sight of Faker glaring at the floor with angry but watery eyes threatening to fall at any moment longer, at the sight of Peyz crouched on the ground as he cried into his folded fists (unaware of the mic he was holding close to his mouth), and at the sight of Keria with his body folded forward uncomfortably in attempt to conceal the uncontrollable sobs coming out from his lips and chest.
Ah. Right. Fuck. He hadn’t told the members.
Doran thought that they would understand. That they would accept his decision and respect whatever it may be. Like what all the other members he had in the past did.
This. This he didn’t expect. Yet Doran told himself that he had prepared for everything. Mentally and emotionally, he was prepared for anything that could happen or may happen on the day his departure was announced. He had a Plan A, a Plan B and even a Plan C rehearsed if something ever went south.
But this sight that’s in front of him right now, with his members bawling their eyes out at the news of his departure—never could he have expected this.
“I’m—sorry,” he choked an apology. With his heart beginning to waver and his hold on himself trembling with doubt, Doran finally let himself think that maybe, just maybe he made the wrong decision after all.
Doran broke.
It happened right before the rainy day in Spring.
Right before the agreement with T1 came to a conclusion.
A KakaoTalk message popped up on Doran’s notification.
A message from someone he tried so hard to ignore and forget.
The message’s purpose was clear and decisive. And it made his walls grow weak until a hole was formed for the intruder to stick his paw out in offering. As if it was telling Doran to take the paw and go outside from the new place he had come to call ‘home’.
>>>
Choi Hyeonjoon.
Next year. Let’s team up one last time.
It’s always been you and me.
Sender: Jeong Jihoon 🐱