Archive of Our Own

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“No, Dad can’t come in.”

Gyeol opened the door just enough to peek out and then looked up at his dad with wide, sparkling eyes. He didn’t look like a kid trying to shut his dad out. He looked like a kid trying very hard not to spoil a surprise. 

"But Dad can come in later,” Gyeol added quickly. 

That was strange. Han Yoojin had watched Gyeol drag Sung Hyunjae into the room by the ear barely five minutes ago. Usually, Sung Hyunjae was the one being left outside the room.

Well… whatever they were doing, it was pleasing that Gyeol wanted to play with Sung Hyunjae for once. Han Yoojin felt proud of himself. All his efforts to talk about his partner more positively around Gyeol were worth it. It hadn’t been easy, as Gyeol was cringing every time. To be fair, Han Yoojin was also cringing every time he complimented his partner. He wasn’t exactly in the habit of complimenting Sung Hyunjae. If Sung Hyunjae ever heard about it, he’d be annoyingly pleased with himself. Just imagining that smug look on his partner’s face made him want to take every compliment back. 

And even worse, Sung Hyunjae would probably ask him to repeat it over and over again. Just thinking about that man made Han Yoojin want to hurl insults at him. But Gyeol was standing right there. 

Ahem. 

“I’m glad you guys are having fun,” Han Yoojin said as he smiled warmly to Gyeol. 

“We are!” Gyeol exclaimed excitedly. Then, he slammed the door in Han Yoojin’s face. 

Han Yoojin stared at the slammed door in disbelief. 

Well. That was… unexpected. 

Maybe this was only fair. Han Yoojin already spent plenty of alone time with Gyeol. Sung Hyunjae deserved the same. So, this was great progress. 

Han Yoojin lingered by the door. Not because he was jealous. That would be ridiculous. He was just curious. He’d just listen for a few minutes, then go back upstairs and mind his own business. With that excuse, he pressed his ear against the door. 

“HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA!!!” 

Laughter abruptly rang out from inside the room. Laughter that did not belong to Sung Hyunjae. 

Han Yoojin froze. 

Was that Gyeol? 

He had heard Gyeol laugh like that countless times. He wasn’t a very funny man, but Gyeol loved to hang around him the most. 

But today, Sung Hyunjae was the one making Gyeol laugh like that. And the two of them wouldn’t even allow Han Yoojin to know what they were having fun with. It was absurd. Since when did those two have secrets from him? 

The door opened without warning.

Han Yoojin nearly pitched forward.

He caught himself, cleared his throat, and looked down at Gyeol as if nothing had happened.

“Dad! I’m done!” 

The door flew open with such a force that Han Yoojin nearly fell face-first into the room. 

He straightened his posture immediately and looked down at Gyeol as if he hadn’t been caught eavesdropping. Gyeol didn’t seem to care. He stared up at Han Yoojin with glittery eyes as if wanting to be praised. It reminded him of the time Gyeol had finally finished painting a family portrait and was eagerly waiting for him to acknowledge it. Of course, Sung Hyunjae had not been a part of that family portrait. 

Han Yoojin bent down and patted Gyeol’s head gently. His heart melted instantly at his kid’s lovely smile. 

“You two seem like you’re getting along well,” Han Yoojin said, smiling back at Gyeol. 

“Why would we get along?” Gyeol tilted his head in confusion. Without another word, he grabbed Han Yoojin’s hand and tugged him into the room. 

“Welcome to my puppet show!” Gyeol announced, spreading his arms proudly. 

From the way he said it, anyone would have thought he was presenting a perfectly harmless puppet show with dolls. Unfortunately, what Han Yoojin saw instead was Sung Hyunjae hanging from a coat rack. 

Gyeol frowned, as if considering a very important artistic decision.

“Hm… maybe I should call it the Puppetjae show instead.” 

What. 

The Fuck. 

For a brief moment, Han Yoojin had expected something oddly wholesome. Maybe Gyeol was making something with Sung Hyunjae. Or maybe he was finally adding him to the family portrait. 

Actually… maybe that one was a bit too hopeful. 

What Han Yoojin saw instead was miniature fairy Sung Hyunjae hanging from a coat rack. Pink string was tied to each of his joints, and his body drooped like a helpless marionette. As if tying him up wasn’t enough, his wings had been clipped together with pink laundry pins. It looked like Gyeol had been very thorough about preventing Sung Hyunjae from escaping. 

Sung Hyunjae even put on a pitiful expression, looking up at his partner like he was silently begging to be rescued. 

It was a performance of helpless misery. Han Yoojin scoffed in disbelief. He knew well enough that his partner was only pretending to be pitiful. 

His partner had allowed Gyeol to turn him into this state. No matter how much his tiny little golden lashes fluttered at him, he wouldn’t feel sorry for him at all. 

As if Sung Hyunjae’s current state wasn’t enough, the rest of the room was a complete mess. Scraps of pink yarn were scattered across the carpet. Half-used rolls of tape lay abandoned near the bed. One of the pillows that was on the bed had burst open on the floor. Feathers were scattered everywhere. Had Sung Hyunjae made it difficult for Gyeol to capture him? It was evident there was at least a little tussle. Even the blankets were a mess. 

"Dad...? How long are you going to stay frozen like that?” Gyeol asked, concerned. 

“Sung Hyunjae-ssi.” Yoojin finally broke the silence, ready to scold his misbehaved partner. 

“Teehee,” Sung Hyunjae interrupted, dangling from the coat rack. 

Han Yoojin reached for the scissors.

“No, Dad! Don’t hurt him!”

“Him?” Han Yoojin repeated. Not ‘that thing’? 

“I worked hard on my puppet!” Gyeol protested. “Also, he’s male.”

…

Well, at least he had a name and a gender. That’s progress…somewhat. Han Yoojin sighed as if in defeat. 

He had always dreamed of a normal family outing. Maybe to the aquarium. A day where they could genuinely have fun together. Of course, insulting his partner was also a hobby Han Yoojin enjoyed. But he didn’t feel like doing that in front of Gyeol. And he didn’t want Gyeol to insult Sung Hyunjae in front of him either. 

But then again, he and Sung Hyunjae weren’t exactly family. But he was his co-parent. And he would have to see his kids every day. And take care of his kids. And take care of the house. And cook. And clean. And do the laundry. And order someone to buy groceries for them. And bake desserts that were… unnecessarily good. His partner had somehow become a part of Han Yoojin’s daily life before he could stop it. 

He even put Han Yoojin to sleep. Sometimes. 

Han Yoojin glanced at his partner. Maybe he was a bit pitiful…

Sung Hyunjae smirked. “I’ve become a gift for my dear Partner-ssi.” His smile was elegant despite the situation. 

Then, Sung Hyunjae swung forward. The pink strings slipped loose from the coat rack, and he landed lightly on the floor. He tucked one arm neatly in front of himself and bowed. 

“You weren’t supposed to move!” Gyeol immediately shouted in outrage. “You were supposed to stay still until I unlatched you!”

“A puppet must make a dramatic entrance,” Sung Hyunjae replied shamelessly.

“That’s not how puppets work!” 

Gyeol grabbed the pink string and stomped in circles out of frustration while wildly swinging his arms. Unfortunately, since Sung Hyunjae was still tied up, he was dragged helplessly along with every movement.

Gyeol stopped pacing and brought the puppet to his eye level. 

“You promised to cooperate!”

“I am cooperating.” Sung Hyunjae looked toward Han Yoojin innocently. “I waited patiently to showcase myself to my partner.”

“You’re supposed to be MY puppet! I am the one that gets to dictate your every move!”

Han Yoojin looked at the two of them. 

One looked deeply upset. 

One looked deeply entertained. 

And somehow, despite technically being the “victim” here, Sung Hyunjae still looked unbearably smug.

Sung Hyunjae lifted both of his tightly bound arms. He even gave the string a little shake as if showing it off. 

“I’ve been captured,” he declared mournfully. He closed his eyes and wiped away tears. Well, he pretended to wipe away his tears at least. 

Han Yoojin instantly felt irritation rise to his chest. 

“You let this happen.” Yoojin immediately tried to shut down the nonsense. 

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes curved up. 

“Yoojin-ah,” Sung Hyunjae said in a more helpless tone than before. 

“You look insane.” Han Yoojin rolled his eyes.

“I’m wounded.”

Gyeol tugged at Han Yoojin’s pants and looked up with a guilty expression. 

“Sorry, Dad. Unfortunately, even though I turned that thing into a puppet, I can only control his movements. I can’t control that foul mouth of his.”

Han Yoojin instantly softened. 

"Aigoo, our little Gyeol-ie. Of course it’s okay—”

Gyeol immediately grabbed the roll of tape lying on the ground and slapped it directly over Sung Hyunjae’s mouth. 

The movement was so fast and felt so practiced that it was honestly a little concerning. Surely this wouldn’t have happened before? The room was oddly silent, though, before Han Yoojin entered. 

“...Pfft.”

Han Yoojin quickly covered his mouth. 

No. No. He really shouldn’t laugh now. 

As Gyeol’s parent, he should tell Gyeol off for going too far, especially since Sung Hyunjae was also his parent. 

But he couldn’t help but find the current situation funny. 

Sung Hyunjae was currently staring at him with narrowed eyes that seemed to say: 

Are you truly going to allow this injustice, Partner-ssi?

Seeing Sung Hyunjae’s pitiful state once more, Han Yoojin desperately wanted to snap a picture to enjoy later. 

This was the same Sung Hyunjae who usually carried himself like he was personally above human society itself. And now he was tied up helplessly with his mouth taped shut. 

Honestly…

If they added a blindfold on top of—

Han Yoojin froze. 

Wait. 

No. 

Absolutely not.

What kind of disgusting thoughts was he thinking when Gyeol was literally standing right there?

Han Yoojin coughed and forcefully shoved his thoughts down while avoiding eye contact with everyone in the room. 

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes curved slightly, seeing Han Yoojin’s flustered expression. 

That bastard definitely noticed something. 

“Here, Dad, look!” Gyeol lifted Sung Hyunjae as if showing him off and then placed him on the table. “This string can move his arm and this string can move his legs!” 

“Gyeol…”

Gyeol continued to demonstrate before his dad could begin nagging. “If you hold down his legs and tug all the strings forward…” 

Gyeol yanked the pink strings with a force that was hard to describe as a 'tug.' 

“You can even make him bow down! Like this!” 

Sung Hyunjae folded forward into a perfect ninety-degree bow. 

Han Yoojin stared at the unbelievable sight. As the responsible father in the room, he decided he needed to be firm before the situation escalated further. 

“Gyeol-ah… You can’t just treat people like toys. And Sung Hyunjae is technically someone who contributed...a little...to creating you. Like a father figure.” 

Gyeol visibly recoiled at the words ‘father figure.' Still, he nodded. 

“I’m sorry, Dad. I should have considered that you would be uncomfortable with this,” Gyeol said. “And I know you like him.”

Han Yoojin felt deeply moved. Gyeol was such a sweet child. He was always quick to consider his dad’s feelings and never talked back while being scolded. Maybe this was simply just how children play. Maybe he had been a bit too harsh on Gyeol. 

Han Yoojin affectionately patted Gyeol’s head. 

“Are you sure you don’t want to try me out, Partner-ssi?” Sung Hyunjae asked, sounding far too pleased with himself. 

“What?” Yoojin asked, confused. 

“Dad! Looks like Puppetjae is eager to play!” Gyeol exclaimed, handing Sung Hyunjae over to Han Yoojin. 

“I’ll tie each of the strings to your fingers so you can try.”

Han Yoojin sighed. He had tried to educate Gyeol to treat Sung Hyunjae with more respect. And now Sung Hyunjae was fanning the flames again. Han Yoojin seriously questioned every decision he made that had led to this man becoming his co-parent. 

He glared at Sung Hyunjae. Sung Hyunjae smiled back, shamelessly. 

“Fine. I’ll try you out once, Puppetjae-ssi. ” Han Yoojin said finally. 

Gyeol brightened immediately. “Really?!”

“Only because you worked hard on it,” Han Yoojin said. How could he say no to that cute face? Also, the ‘victim’ had given consent, so it should be fine… 

Gyeol immediately started tying the strings to Han Yoojin’s fingers. 

Han Yoojin lifted his index finger. Sung Hyunjae’s right arm rose. Then, Yoojin lifted another finger, which lifted Sung Hyunjae’s left leg. 

At first, Yoojin only made small movements with his fingers. Sung Hyunjae looked up at Han Yoojin. He was still smiling. 

“Is this all you wanted to do with me?”

Han Yoojin looked down at him. 

Oh. 

His beloved Partner-ssi was deliberately trying to provoke him. 

Fine. 

Han Yoojin would show him what puppet play looked like. 

Sung Hyunjae’s arm jerked up. His leg kicked out. His entire body swayed to the side, then snapped back when Han Yoojin yanked the strings. 

Gyeol burst into laughter while he clapped his hands. 

“How does it feel to be at your partner’s mercy, Puppetjae-ssi?” Han Yoojin asked, tauntingly. 

“It’s a pleasure, master.” Sung Hyunjae grinned.

Han Yoojin yanked the string again, pulling Sung Hyunjae closer to him. 

“You like that?” Han Yoojin asked. 

"Yes, I like this, Dad!" Gyeol chimed in. Perhaps he thought Han Yoojin was talking to him. 

“Well… it seems it’s time to punish my puppet again.”

Han Yoojin gave the strings another sharp tug. 

Thud. 

Something hit the floor. 

“Ah…Ahjussi?”

Han Yoojin turned around to see Bak Yerim standing frozen at the door. Her stuffie had slipped from her hand and was lying on the floor. Her eyes looked at Han Yoojin… then at the pink strings wrapped around his fingers… then at Sung Hyunjae dangling helplessly from being tied up. 

Then, with the expression of someone who had witnessed something she could never unsee, Bak Yerim slowly took a step backward. 

“Ahjussi…” she said carefully. “I knew you were into... unusual things.”

Han Yoojin frowned. “What?” 

“But… in front of Gyeol?”

Han Yoojin's face drained of color.

“No, wait.”

Bak Yerim took another step back.

“It isn't what it looks like.”

Yerim closed her eyes shut. She loved her ahjussi more than anything. Whenever people attacked him online, she was the first to defend him from strange rumors and unfair misunderstandings. 

This time, however, she had no idea how to defend him. Bak Yerim decided it was better not to know. 

“I'll... pretend I didn't see anything.”

“Yerim-ah.”

She quietly slid the door shut.

“SUNG HYUNJAE, YOU BASTARD, THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!” 

…

Strange. There was no response. His hand also felt… oddly empty. 

He looked down at his hand, where Sung Hyunjae was supposed to be hanging from. But all he could see were pink strings. The pink laundry pins were also neatly lined up on the table. Where did this bastard disappear to? 

“Puppetjae escaped while we were distracted!” Gyeol stomped his feet in frustration. “Let’s capture it and teach it a lesson!”

Han Yoojin sighed, "Gyeol, how about we play just the two of us? We don’t need to play with him.”

“But didn’t Han Yoojin-gun say he would show me what puppet play looked like?” A voice sounded from where the door was at. 

Han Yoojin rushed to the door. 

“COME HERE YOU LITTLE—”

Sung Hyunjae zipped out of the room. He flew zigzagging midair, effortlessly dodging Han Yoojin’s attacks. Then, he flew higher, hovering just out of reach. 

Han Yoojin jumped and Sung Hyunjae drifted a little higher. Sung Hyunjae smiled down at him. 

“Dad, he’s cheating!” Gyeol shouted. 

“Should I come a little lower?” Sung Hyunjae smirked. “I fear my partner may tire himself out.”

Sung Hyunjae lowered himself on the top shelf of a bookshelf. 

“You know I can’t reach the top shelf,” Han Yoojin said. 

“Hm?” Sung Hyunjae replied. "But Han Yoojin-gun’s stuff is on this shelf.”

Han Yoojin scoffed. Sung Hyunjae knew Han Yoojin wrapped Bellare around his arm to grab things from the top shelf. 

“Forgive me, Partner-ssi. I seem to have overestimated your height.” Sung Hyunjae grinned, looking down at Han Yoojin. “Surely, if you keep jumping, you’ll be able to catch me.”

Sung Hyunjae was insufferable. No wonder he couldn’t get along with Gyeol no matter how hard Han Yoojin tried. Han Yoojin wondered why he even put up with this guy in the first place. 

“Be a good puppet and wait here. I’m going to go get Bellare.” Han Yoojin said. 

“I'll watch him!” Gyeol declared, puffing out his chest.

“I'll be on my best behavior,” Sung Hyunjae replied with a smile that immediately proved otherwise.

Han Yoojin gave him one last suspicious look before leaving the room.

…

A while later, he returned with Bellare wrapped around his forearm. 

Sung Hyunjae was gone. 

Han Yoojin wasn’t surprised. Of course he would escape. Gyeol didn’t have to look at him with those sorry eyes. It wasn’t his fault. 

“Don’t feel bad, Gyeol.” Han Yoojin reassured him. “I have a way to catch him now.”

“Really, Dad?!" Gyeol squealed. “That’s amazing!” 

Han Yoojin had Bellare now. If Sung Hyunjae flew up, Bellare would catch him. And if he hid behind something, Han Yoojin could detect him using Bellare’s heat sensing skill. 

His gaze swept across the room until he spotted a small figure hidden underneath the couch. 

“He’s under there,” Han Yoojin said, pointing to the couch. Sung Hyunjae would probably bolt at the last second anyways, so there was no need to rush. 

Gyeol seemed to understand. He moved to the other side of the couch and dropped to the floor at the same time Han Yoojin did. The plan was for both of them to reach underneath the couch at the same time. If Sung Hyunjae dodged and ran to the other side, Gyeol would cover for Han Yoojin. 

“Three,” Han Yoojin whispered. 

“Two.”

“One!”

Han Yoojin grabbed Sung Hyunjae. 

“Success!” Han Yoojin shouted. Then, he yanked Sung Hyunjae from underneath the couch. He jumped up and threw both hands in the air in celebration. 

“Han Yoojin-gun…” A muffled sound rang out from Han Yoojin’s palms. “I’m suffocating.”

“Be quiet." Han Yoojin tried to shut him up. “You’ve been annoying all day.”

Han Yoojin let out a breath of relief. Finally… he can relax for the rest of the day after cleaning up the mess in the room. 

Smooch. 

What. 

Before Han Yoojin could register what had just happened, something soft brushed against the center of his palm. 

…

Did…

Did that bastard just kiss his hand? 

Han Yoojin’s fingers sprang open on instinct. 

“Ack!”

Sung Hyunjae slipped away. 

“What did you do to Dad?! "Gyeol shouted. 

“He got captured on purpose to pull that crazy stunt!” 

Han Yoojin had enough. He didn’t even want to bother chasing after him. His annoyingly handsome partner was clearly enjoying this. 

“Sung Hyunjae-ssi.”

"Yes, dear?”

Urgh. 

“Just tell me what I have to do to end this stupid game of yours.” 

"But Partner-ssi is the one who keeps coming after me.” Sung Hyunjae pointed out.

Han Yoojin knew he could simply stop chasing him. But even if he did, Sung Hyunjae would find another way to annoy him. 

“You’re the one that keeps running away like a coward,” Gyeol said.

Sung Hyunjae looked amused. “A coward? How cruel. Weren’t we just playing a game of tag?”

“Just tell me what you want,” Han Yoojin said, already tired.

Sung Hyunjae smiled, which was never a good sign.

“I want to be kissed on the cheek.” 

“...What?”

“A kiss on the cheek,” Sung Hyunjae repeated pleasantly. “Surely that much is not difficult for my brave captors.”

“Fine,” Han Yoojin agreed immediately. “A kiss on the cheek and then this ends.”

Under normal circumstances, Han Yoojin would never agree to kiss Sung Hyunjae. Maybe that was exactly what Sung Hyunjae had been counting on.

Han Yoojin scoffed. 

A kiss on the cheek was hardly a big deal. Did Sung Hyunjae really think something like that would make him back down?

“Fly over here,” Han Yoojin said as he puckered his lips. 

“Okay.” Sung Hyunjae flew towards Han Yoojin. Then, he transformed back to his full form. 

Han Yoojin looked up at him. 

“You’re kidding.” 

Sung Hyunjae smiled. 

“Fine,” Han Yoojin said with gritted teeth. 

“Gyeol-gun as well.”

“WHAT?!” Gyeol screeched. 

Han Yoojin sighed. Why did Sung Hyunjae always have to make everything so needlessly troublesome? 

“Gyeol-ah, it’s just a harmless little kiss. And he’s your father too…in a way.” 

Gyeol gave Sung Hyunjae a death glare. 

“...Fine. But only because he’s causing you trouble, Dad."

Han Yoojin patted Gyeol’s head. His kid was so considerate of him. Unlike a certain somebody…

“I am waiting for my kiss,” Sung Hyunjae said with a pleased smile. He was already sitting on the floor so Gyeol could reach him. 

Han Yoojin immediately didn't like the look on his face.

“Dad, on the count of three.”

Han Yoojin sighed. 

“Three…”

“Two…”

“One…”

Han Yoojin leaned toward Sung Hyunjae's left cheek. Gyeol leaned toward the right.

Just before their faces met—

Sung Hyunjae turned.

...

Something soft brushed against Han Yoojin's lips. 

Han Yoojin's eyes widened.

That caught him off guard. But still, he kept his expression perfectly neutral. He refused to give Sung Hyunjae the satisfaction of a reaction. 

Gyeol was also surprised, but he seemed glad that Sung Hyunjae had avoided him. 

“So does this mean you’ll stop running away now?” Han Yoojin asked. 

Sung Hyunjae's smile chuckled.

“I did promise to stop if I received a kiss on the cheek from both of you.”

He tilted his head ever so slightly.

“Unfortunately, I didn't receive a single cheek kiss.”

Then, before Han Yoojin could say anything, he shrank back into his miniature form and darted away.

“Urgh!”

Han Yoojin dragged both hands down his face.

This was never going to end.